Mas see. — A Monograph of the Geoglosseae . 239 
or less gelatinous nature of the ascophore, but differing in not 
having a distinct plane or concave disk. The Pezizeae are 
also closely allied through the genus Helotium ; the latter 
however again differs in the discoid hymenium and in the 
more or less parenchymatous cortex of the ascophore. Verpa, 
connecting the Helvelleae, differs in having the ascigerous 
portion more distinctly separated from the stem, and in the 
hymenium being sharply limited to its upper surface. 
Key to the Genera. 
I. Spores elongated , arranged in a parallel fascicle in 
the ascus. 
* Spores coloured. 
Geoglossum. 
** Spores hyaline or colourless. 
Spathularia. Ascigerous portion spathulate or clavate, 
laterally compressed. 
Vibrissea. Ascigerous portion pileate, free margin incurved 
towards the stem. 
II. Spores narrowly elliptical, 1-2 - seriate in the ascus. 
* Hymenium covering every part of the ascigerous 
portion. 
f Ascigerous portion stipitate. 
Mitrula. Ascigerous portion clavate, compressed. 
Leotia. Ascigerous portion pileate. 
ff Ascigerous portion sessile. 
Spragueola. 
** Ascigerous portion flat, hymenium covering only one 
surface, the other surface sterile. 
Hemiglossum. 
Neolecta. 
III. Spores globose. 
