35 
Development of Ephelis. 
and the subsequent elevation of this surface on a stalk. This 
was practically the production of a secondary capitate stroma 
from the effete discs of the old effused stroma, each one 
having somewhat the appearance of enlarged specimens of 
Claviceps purpurea , nearly black in colour all over, the stem 
being squamulose, and the capitulum enclosing immersed mem- 
branaceous perithecia, containing asci with long filiform asco- 
spores. No doubt could be entertained that this new form 
had its affinities in the Hypocreaceae, and was a sort of 
gregarious Claviceps seated upon a continuous effused stroma. 
There is very little doubt the fungus in question must be 
referred to a new genus called Balansia , of which one species 
only, and that from South America, has been described under 
the name of Balansia Claviceps , Speg. This genus differs from 
Claviceps in the capitate stroma, being developed from the 
effete discs of the Ephelis , which were themselves developed 
from a circumambient stroma of quite a different character 
from the sclerotioid base of Claviceps. It differs also from 
Epichloe in the perithecia not being immersed in the ambient 
stroma, but in secondary capitate stromata which spring from 
determinate points in the effused stroma. Altogether the 
structure and history is a complex one, and must be studied 
from the figures and details hereafter given, when it will be 
manifest that the species could not have been included either 
in Claviceps , Epichloe , or Hypocriella , the nearest allies. 
As to the species itself, it differs in such important particulars 
from Balansia Claviceps , Speg., that we do not think it could 
be maintained as a mere variety of that species. The follow- 
ing is a technical description : — 
Balansia trinitensis , Cooke & Massee. 
Stromatibus globulosis, subtus impressis (i-ii mm. diam.), 
duris, atris, extus papillatis. Stipite erecto, squamuloso 
(2-4 mm. long, \ mm. crass.), atris. Peritheciis in stromatum 
capitulis periphericis, constipatis, obovatis, ostiolo exiguo per- 
forate, Ascis cylindraceis, basi attenuatis (1 20-130 x 9-10 /x), 
octosporis, sporidiis filiformibus, continuis, flexuosis, hyalinis 
