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MR. G.-MASSEE OX GASTEROLICHENES. 
continuous hymenium as in Hymenomycetous fungi, has also considerably strengthened 
Schwendener’s theory, as the mutual relations between the two components can be 
more readiiy determined than in the older group of Ascoliclienes. 
It is somewhat remarkable that a re-arrangement of Thallogens was not attempted 
earlier, considering the difficulties experienced by cryptogamists of half-a-century 
ago in locating the genera now included under Hymenolichenes and Gasterolichenes. 
Dictyonema was first described as an alga by C. A. Agardh,* who placed it in the 
ConfervoiclecB next to Hydrodictyon, yet he appears to have been uncertain about its 
true position, owing to the numerous colourless anastomosing threads, and concludes 
with the remark, “Forsan Lichenis species!” Nees afterwards removed the genus 
to Fungi, changing the name to Diclionema, but was in turn quite as much perplexed 
on account of the numerous chlorophyll-bearing cells, and at the end of the generic 
description says, “Forsan thallus Coenogonii.” The same remarks apply to the genus 
Cora, described by Fries! as a fungus, stating that at one time he considered it as 
belonging to Lichenes. In like manner, the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, in the description 
of Emericella, clearly recognised the lichenose structure, suggested by the presence of 
green cells along with colourless threads, and also called special attention to the 
absolute agreement between the green cells and the Palmella previously described as 
an alga in the same work, finally pointing out that it differed from lichens in the mode 
of spore-formation. It is remarkable how nearly Schwendener’s views were antici¬ 
pated in this instance by Berkeley. 
The genera already mentioned, along with Laudatea, Joh., Phipidonema, Matt., 
Emericella, Berk., and Trichocoma, Jungh., although universally acknowledged as 
Thallogens, are equally rejected by those lichenologists and mycologists opposed to 
Schwendener’s views ; their peculiar non-ascigerous fructification alienating them 
from Lichens, and the chlorophyllose cells from Fungi, while algologists appear unable 
to reconcile themselves to the idea of an alga producing such fungal-like organs of 
fructification on the colourless hyphse. 
The object of the present communication is to describe a third type of lichen 
structure, resulting from the consortism of Fungi belonging to the Gasteromycetes, 
order Trichogastres, with unicellular algae. Following the rule suggested by Mattirolo.J 
the present section will take the name of Gasterolichenes. 
The type Emericella variecolor, Berk., is described by the Rev. M. J. Berkeley § as 
follows :—“ On the confines of Myxogastrcs we have the little group consisting of 
Coniocybe, Byssophyton, and a new genus, to which I have given the name of Emericella. 
These are in habit more or less Lichenose, but differ from Calicium and allied genera 
in the total absence of asci. Emericella, of which a figure is subjoined, consists of 
* ‘ Syst. Alg.,’ p. 85. 
f E. Fries, ‘ PI. homon.,’ p. 303. 
X “ Contribuzioni alio Studio del genere Cora, Fr.,” ‘ Nuovo Giorn. Botan. Ital.,’ vol. 13, 1881. p. 245. 
(2 plates.) 
§ ‘ Inti\ Crypt. Bot.’ p. 340. (Cum ic.) 
