32 
rOPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
seen by a balf-inch objective, the spores seem to be moniliform ; 
but if so, the attachment is so slight that all attempts to see 
them so connected when separated from the matrix have failed. 
On one occasion a very immature condition of the Sporidesmium 
was examined containing simple beaded spores (PL LXVIIL 
fig. c) connected by a short neck. There is therefore some 
foundation for believing that the spores of this species are at 
first hyaline, simple, and connected together in a moniliform 
manner by a short apiculus ; but, as subsequent search did 
not reveal any further corroborative evidence, it can only be 
considered probable. Finally, Mr. C. E. Broome, to whom 
specimens of the Sporidesmium were submitted, confirmed the 
observation that, when seen in situ , the spores seemed to be 
beaded. 
The last production which made its appearance on our wall- 
paper burst through the varnish as little black spheres like 
grains of gunpowder. At first the varnish was elevated by 
pressure from beneath, then the film was broken, and the little 
blackish spheres appeared. These were, in the majority of 
instances, gregarious, but occasionally a few of the spheres ap- 
peared singly, or only two or three together. As the whole 
surface of the damp paper was covered by these different fungi, 
it was scarcely possible to regard any of them as isolated, or 
to declare that one was not connected with the mycelium of 
the others. The little spheres, when the paper was torn from 
the wall, were also growing from the under surface, flattened 
considerably by the pressure. We shall call this species, for 
the sake of distinction, Sphceria cyclospora. The spherical 
bodies, or perithecia, were seated on a plentiful colourless 
mycelium. The walls of the perithecia, rather more car- 
bonaceous than membranaceous, are reticulated, bringing to 
mind the same structure in Erysiphe , to which the perithecia 
bear considerable resemblance. The ostiolum is so obscure 
that we could not be satisfied of its existence, or whether the 
perithecia are ruptured when mature. It is rather from ana- 
logy than positive evidence that the name of Sphceria is given 
(PI. LX VIII. fig. 10). The interior of the perithecia is occupied 
by a gelatinous substance consisting of long cylindrical sacs orasci, 
each containing eight globose, colourless sporidia (PI. LXVIIL 
fig. 11). These are accompanied by slender branched threads, 
called paraphyses, supposed to be abortive asci. At first, and 
for some time, the perithecia contain only a granular mass, at 
length mixed with paraphyses. The contents of the fertile 
asci are also at the first granular, and finally the sporidia are 
perfected. 
We have now described, as fully as seemed to be necessary, 
the four forms of fungi which vegetated during last winter and 
