Wesley : Fo^^TINALIS gracilis. 



103 



Working 1123011 CoUema mlcropliylluui, Stalil found withiii the 

 thalliis certain structures wliicli he regarded as Carpogonia. Each 

 carpogonium consists of a hrphal filament which is tyristed upon 

 - itself two or three times to form an ascogonium, and then runs 

 vertically upwards to the surface of the thallus, above which its 

 terminal cell projects. The vertical portion of the thread, from its 

 relation to the ascogonium and the part it plays in the process of 

 fertilization, he considers as physiologically homologous with the 

 Trichogyne of the Floridese. Fertilization is effected by the sper- 

 matia which adhere to the Trichogyne, and apparently the wall 

 becomes absorbed at the spot, and there is free communication 

 between the interior of the spermatium and that of the Trichogyne. 



As a result of fertilization, the Trichogyne withers, the Ascogonium 

 enlarges, and filaments are produced from its cells which either 

 become asci themselves, or develop asci as lateral branches. Mean- 

 while the hyphal filaments of the thallus give rise to a cup-shaped 

 I investing mass of felt-work, from which branches grow up between 

 the separating coils of the ascogonium and produce the paraphyses. 

 In this manner the apothecium is gradually built up and constituted, 

 the asci and paraphyses originating from hyphje entirely distinct from 

 each other as in A^coholn^ fiirfuraceus. 



With this example of sexual reproduction among Fungi I must 

 for the present take leave of the subject. I am fully conscious that 

 in the rapid review I have taken of it, many important and suggestive 

 details have been omitted, and several most interesting analogies 

 have been left unnoticed. But I have already exceeded the limits 

 assigned me, and must leave those who are sufficiently interested to 

 fill in for themselves whatever is wanting to complete the outline. 



Harrogate, Oct., 1878. 



FO.YTIlVALIS gracilis, Lixd. 

 J. S. Weslev, M.B. 



In the January number of the Xaturalist the moss Fontinalis gracilis, 

 ■ Lindberg, .is announced as a distinct species, and as being new to 

 I Britain. In the interests of botanical science this statement should 

 not be allowed to pass without comment. 



First, as to its claim to specific rank : Schimper in his Synopsis, 

 Ed. II. 1876 gives it as Fontincdis antijpyretica, var. y gracilis^ and his 

 description, translated, is as follows :— " More graceful than the ordi- 

 nary form, often more fasciculately branched, often half-a-foot long, and 



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