246 Mas see. — A Monograph of the Geoglosseae. 
are : the glabrous, more or less viscid ascophore ; narrow, almost 
cylindrical asci, and nearly cylindrical, comparatively short spores 
with obtuse ends, which usually remain 3-septate. The spores are 
often much paler in colour than in the other species ; and, owing to 
their shorter length, do not form such a distinct parallel fascicle in the 
ascus, but are inclined to become 2-3-seriate. In going over a large 
series of specimens, I find it impossible to separate glutinosum from 
vise 0 sum. The relative amount of viscidity depends on the weather ; 
the terete or grooved stem depends on age, the last condition depending 
on the deliquescence and gelatinization of the central portion of the 
ascophore, which again depends on external conditions. The two 
extreme forms of the tips of the paraphyses, as figured by Cooke, 
look distinct and of value as aids to specific identification, but every 
possible transition from broadly piriform to globose can be met with. 
The spores usually remain 3-septate, but sometimes pass on to 
5-7-septate. In one specimen in Karsten’s Fung. Fenn. n. 450, 
the spores are entirely normal in size and shape, deep brown, and 
apparently quite mature, but show no traces of septation. On the 
other hand, the specimens in Roumeguere’s Fung. Gall. Exs. n. 4044, 
while the majority of the spores are 3-septate, some have 5 septa and 
others are quite distinctly 7 -septate, the spores in the last-named 
instances not being above the normal size. 
The form minor of Saccardo appears only to differ in its small size, 
and every mycologist who has done field work knows how general it 
is to meet with specimens belonging to almost every species of fungus 
that might be dubbed forma minor or major , as the case might be ; 
but every one knows that such forms are by no means permanent, 
but akin to the stunted crop of wheat grown during a very dry season. 
Finally, I have examined the type of G. Miilleri , Cooke, and find that 
it agrees with G. glutinosum in all essential features ; the sizes of the 
spores, as given by Cooke in Mycographia, are too large, and the 
paraphyses are in reality capitate. 
Geoglossum glabrum, Per soon, Obs. Myc. ii, 61, 1799 ; Pers., 
Syn. Meth. Fung. 608, 1801 ; Fries , Syst. Myc. i, 488, 1821; Cooke, 
Myc. 7, f. 10, 1875; Phil., Brit. Disc. 36, 1887 ; Massee, Brit. Fung.- 
Fl. iv, 491, 1895. (PI. XII, Figs. 44-46.) 
Gregarious; entire fungus 3-7 cm. high, dry, black or brownish- 
black, sometimes tinged with olive or purple ; ascigerous portion 
