PYRENOTHEA. 



307 



mains as a black ring in old state, — prominent part of apo- 

 thecia falling away). Spores linear, rounded at the ends, 

 three-septate, brown. (E. B. 2768.) 



Terricolous species. 



11. Veeuucaria epig^ea (eW, upon, and 797, the earth). 

 Thallus filmy or leprose, pale greenish. Apothecia spheri- 

 cal, small, half -immersed ; ostiole pertuse. Spores irregularly 

 obovate, hyaline. (E. B. 1681.) 



On argillaceous soil in lowland woods. — Its apothecia 

 somewhat resemble those of the genus Sagedia, 



Nat. Ord. XYI. LIMBORIACEjF, Fries. 

 Fam. Char. Thallus crustaceous. Apothecium round ; peri- 

 thecium carbonaceous, closed, variously dehiscent. Thalamium 

 waxy, becoming rigid. 



Genus I. PYRENOTHEA, Fries. 

 Gen. Char. Thalamium globular, becoming protruded from 

 the exciple, falling to pieces ; perithecium becoming explanate 

 and empty. Spores free (not contained in thecse), agglutinated, 

 becoming disunited or dissolving on the application of moisture, 

 and frequently issuing from the perithecial pore in a continuous 

 stream or cloud (as in the Fungi).* 



* Von Elotow, in ' Botanische Zeitung,' 1850 : Berkeley and Broome, 



