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ii; :
has arranged it with more propriety in the third Order of his
great Division GasteromyceteSi after JDichosporium and My-
roihecium. Though the substance of the plant is entirely
floccose, yet a kind of peridium appears to be formed by the
dense interweaving of the filaments. If a plant be divided just
before maturity, the green sporules will be seen lying in a compact
mass, forming a thick stratum, varying according to the
shape of the peridium, which is generally either roundish or
oblong. When mature, the most curious property of this fungus
is exhibited : the summit does not actually burst, or become
lacerated, as in most other Gasteromycetes, but vanishes,
or, by some means or other, the filaments composing the summit
of the peridium are broken down, and obliterated ; and
this process gradually proceeds from the summit to the base, so
that at length little is left besides the pulverulent mass of dry
green sporidia, which have thus an opportunity of complete dispersion.
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Fig. 1. Plants of T. viride, natural size. Fig. 2 . A peridium entire. Fig. 3.
A peridium with ike summit becoming obliterated. Fig. 4. A peridium di-
l vertically. Fig. 5. Filaments or jlocci, and sporidia,—magnified.