TAB. CLX.
SPHÆRIA fraxinea. With. ed. 3. 393.
This is certainly a very curious production, being a continued parasite on itself. The general shape is hemisphærical, though often very uneven. It forms whitish farinaceous threads (if I may call them so and black sphserules in alternate order around the whole surface, which, having fructified, remain in striae concentrating from the root or bsfe. The white threads destitute of farina becoming greyer, and the appearance of capsules in the black striae being totally loft, give it the exact resemblance of the grain of the wood in some charcoal. This fungus is found on ash, hornbeam, and other trees, and often grows to three inches diameter, in some situations continuing to grow many months.
