400 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



Cup 2 to 3 lines broad; the nucleus of the sporidia hecome 

 free when the epispore is ruptured. The external cells of 

 the cup differ from those of Mnnulea (B. & Br.), and it has 

 not any short hairs, as that species has. (Phil.) 



SPHAEEOSOMA. Klotzsch. 



Ascophore partly subterranean, unequally globose, rather 

 fleshy, entirely closed or with a minute aperture at the apex ; 

 internally more or less convolute, hymenium covering the 

 external surface ; texture parenchymatous, cells large ; asci 

 large, cylindrical, apex rounded, 8-spored ; spores 1-seriate, 

 globose, hyaline or brownish, epispore ornamented; para- 

 physes septate. 



SphaeroBoma, Klotzsch, in Deitr., Flor. Boruss., n. 467 ; 

 Sacc, Syll., viii. p. 66. 



The present genus was removed by Saccardo — Syll., viii. 

 p. 56 — ^from the Tuberaceae to the Discomycetes on account 

 of its structure being most in accordance with the last 

 named, and in this respect I consider he is certainly right. 

 The genus appears to be intermediate between the two 

 groups, and allied to such true Pezizae as P. vesiculosa, and 

 more especially to the genus Sepultaria. 



Growing partly buried in the ground or among heaps of 

 dead leaves. 



Sphaerosoma ostiolatum. Tul., Fung. Hypog., 

 p. 183, pi. xix., fig. 1 ; Cooke, Hdbk., p. 746, fig. 351 ; Sacc, 

 Syll., viii. n. 178. 



Irregularly globose, surface nodulose or with wavy folds, 

 internally cavernous and opening at the apex by a small 

 perforation, rather soft, brown, about I cm. across ; texture 

 parenchymatous, cells irregular, 12-20 /j. diameter ; asci 

 cylindrical, apex rounded, 8-spored ; spores 1-seriate, globose, 

 pale brown at maturity, the epispore studded with elongated, 

 obtuse, unequal, hyaline warts, 20-22 fi diameter; para- 

 physes septate, broadly clavate, longer than the asci. 



Under leaves among loose mould. 



The adult plant is strongly plicate, and of a rich mulberry 

 brown (B. & Br.). 



