The present species is the largest of the genus, and not
liable to be confounded with any other, unless it be the Lycogola
tiirhinata of P e r s o o n , figured by B u l l i a r d as a variety of
our plant, {Champ, t. 476. f. 2.) It is much less, and of a pyriform
shape, or attenuated below into a very short stipes. I f
B u l l i a r d has represented it correctly, growing erect, it is
probably distinct, as tbe different forms of Lycogola argéntea
are chiefly derived from situation. When growing on a horizontal
surface, which is most commonly the case, it is depressed
and broad; when produced on the perpendicular trunk of a
tree, or an old paling, the young semi-fluid plant naturally assumes
a rounder shape, from mere gravitation.
I know few plants more fragile than the present individual,
which requires therefore the utmost care in its removal. The
quantity of sporules is so truly astonishing, that the rest of the
plant may be regarded as nothing more than a receptacle. A
part of S o w e r b y ’s lower figure was coloured by means of the
sporules.
»(I III
Fig. 1. Lycogola argentea, nat. size,
rules and filaments, magnified.
Fig. 2. A ruptured plant. Fig. ,3. Spo~