370 



Mr. G. Massee. On Gasterolichenes. [June 16, 



Efflorescent and tabular kreatinins may be obtained from this hydro- 

 chloride, resembling in crystalline form and percentage composition 

 those derived from the natural hydrochloride, but exhibiting some 

 important differences. Thus the platinum salt of the artificial 

 tabular kreatinin requires nearly twice as much water to dissolve it 

 as that of the natural base at the same temperature. 



Both the natural and artificial kreatinins form well-crystallised 

 gold salts. The gold salt of the natural kreatinin is unchanged by 

 ether, but that of the artificial base is decomposed thereby, the 

 kreatinin hydrochloride separating out, and the auric chloride passing 

 into solution. 



Finally the artificial kreatinins are less powerful reducing agents 

 than the natural base. 



4 mols. of the natural kreatinins are equivalent to 2 mols. of 



glucose. 



5 mols. of the artificial kreatinins are equivalent to 2 mols. of 



glucose in reducing action. 

 Therefore artificial kreatinins must not be compared with the natural 

 base as to their reducing action. 



Note added 13th May, 1887. 



Professor W. "N. Hartley has observed a marked difference in the 

 absorption spectra of the natural kreatinin of urine, and of an 

 artificial kreatinin obtained by the author from flesh kreatin. 



IX. " On Gasterolichenes, 8b New Type of the Group LiclienesP 

 By G. Massee. Communicated by W. T. Thisklton Dyer, 

 F.R.S. Received May 5, 1887. 



(Abstract.) 



In the greater number of Lichenes, the fungal constituent belongs 

 to the section Ascomycetes, characterised by having the spores pro- 

 duced in asci. Recently a second group of Liclienes has been de- 

 scribed, and called Hymenolichenes, in which the fungus belongs to 

 the Hymenomycetous Basidiomycetes, and closely related to the 

 genera Corticium and Stereum. In the present communication, a 

 third type of lichen structure is described, in which the fungus 

 belongs to the order Gasteromycetes, or puff- balls. Gasterolichenes is 

 the name suggested for this group, which consists of two genera, 

 Emericella, Berk., and Trichocoma, Jangh., hitherto described as 

 fungi. 



