Meliolaster, A New Genus of the Microthyriaceae. 
123 
be identical with Meliola aster itio ides Wiiit., in which case it should be 
named Meliolaster aster inoides (Wint.), but as I have not seen specimens of 
M. asterinoides, and it is not safe to assume the identity of the two fungi 
without comparison, I have described the Buccleuch specimen as Meliolaster 
Mackenzii n. sp. 
Meliolaster Doidge nov. gen. Microthyeiacearum. 
Thyriothecia supei'ficiala, atra, carbonacea, applanato-hemisphaerica, ex 
hyphis radiatis context;i demum stellatum dehiscentia. Mycelium liypho- 
podiatum. Asci aparaphysati. Sporidia 4-septata, brunnea. 
Meliolaster Mackenzii Doidge n. sp. 
Hypophylla, plagulas minutas, rotundatiis, l'5-2'5 mm. diam. formans ; 
niycelio laxo, ex hyphis flexuosis vel fere rectis, 6-7 /x crassis composito ; 
ramis alternis ; cellulis 15-16 fx longis ; hyphopodiis capitatis, alternis vel 
unilateralibus, brevissime stipitatis, curvatis, 10-15 x 6-7 /x, cellula superiore 
sub-globosa, convexa ; hyphopodiis mucronatis ampuliaceis, inter liypho- 
podia capitata sparsis, apice interduni sub-uncinatis, 12-15 x 6-7 /x ; 
thy riot heciis dense aggregatis, orbicularibus vel a latere compressis, 
applanato-hemisphaericis, 250-350 /x diam., contextu ex hyphis rectis, 4-6 /x 
latis in articulos circum 10 /x longos divisis composito, peripherice copiose 
finibriatis : ascis aparaphysatis, evanescentibus, ellipsoideis, bisporis, 
50-57 X 20-23 /x ; sporidiis cylindraceis, compressis vel sub-clavatis, 4- 
septatis, utrinque rotundatis, leniter constrictis, 33-37 x 10-13"5 /x. 
Hab. in foliis Pi^yeris capensis, 17/8/18, Buccleuch, Natal, leg. E. M. 
Doidge, M.H. No. 11570. 
The formation of thyriothecia begins when the colony is quite small, 
the first being formed near the centre ; one, two or more secondary thyrio- 
thecia then arise in close proximity, and these become flattened and the 
circular outline somewhat lost by coming into contact before growth is 
complete. As in Meliola the asci disappear as soon as the spores are 
formed, and before they change colour. The spores germinate as in Meliola 
and Asterina by producing hyphopodia first and then a hyphal branch, 
usually from the terminal cells. Hyphopodia are developed regularly as in 
many Meliolas, one being- formed from each cell, in close proximity to the 
dividing wall. 
Botanical Laboratories op the Union 
OF South Africa, Pretoria. 
