The splendid though common species Arcyria punìcea,.
has already found a place in this work. The one now represented
is much more rare, and scarcely less beautiful. Indeed,
nothing can exceed the elegance of a tuft of this fungus, after
it has acquired its drooping character. S o w e r b y has suggested
that both these species may be the same in different
states ;—an opinion, however, which has nothing to support it,
and only serves to prove the peculiar habit of the genus.
Fig. 1. A. jlava, before the peridium has completely vanished. Fig. 2. A twf't
i f ter the capiUitium has elongated; natural size. Fig. 3. A young plant,
and one in the act o f bursting. Fig. 4. Plants shewing the capillitium and
persistent cup-shaped portion o f the peridium. Fig. 5. A portion o f the ca-
pillitium. Fig. 6. Sporidia ; magnified
