In the new classification (ICCP System 1994) the maceral group inertinite has been enlarged to include seven macerals by replacing the former maceral sclerotinite by two others, called funginite and secretinite. Funginite consists of fungal remains only, whereas secretinite comprises inert residues that are similar to fungal sclerotia in their optical characteristics but are, in fact, oxidized and subsequently coalified plant excretions. This revision necessitated a redefinition of the maceral macrinite in order to establish a clear division between secretinite and macrinite. The definitions of the remaining inertinite macerals, although upgraded and enlarged, remain largely unchanged. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.