Durand : Classification of the Fleshy Pezizineae 467 



This establishment of numerous orders based largely on the 

 consistency of the plant was an important step. No less signifi- 

 cant was the still further narrowing of the generic limits of Peziza, 

 and the consequent formation of new genera. The Peziza of the 

 former arrangement was here separated into eight genera, of which 

 the largest and most important were Peziza and Helotiitm. The 

 genus Peziza was as before divided into three series, which were 

 still further broken up into eleven tribes. How much Fries re- 

 lied upon gross characters may be gathered from his own state- 

 ment that it is not possible to base natural genera on either the 

 form, septation, or markings of the spores. 



The second Friesian system of classification remained in use 

 for thirty years. M. G. Cooke followed it in nearly every detail 

 in his publications from 1871 to 1879, as did also Karsten in his 

 earlier publications. 



From what has been said it will be seen that the classification 

 of the Pezizineous Discomycetes advanced in a definite direction 

 from 1 80 1 till 1879, and that this period was marked by three im- 

 portant steps in the progress. 



It will be remembered that within the decade between i860 

 and 1870 a great change came over the aspect of mycological 

 study. This was heralded by the publication of de Bary's Mor- 

 phology and Physiology of the Fungi, Lichens and Myxomycetes, 

 in 1866. The most of the work done before this time had been 

 upon the external or gross parts of the plant, the microscopic 

 structure being almost entirely neglected. At this period, how- 

 ever, the attention of students was being turned more to the 

 structural details and to the development of plants, a kind of in- 

 vestigation which has laid the foundation for sounder systems of 

 classification. 



This influence was early felt in the study of the Discomycetes. 

 In 1864, De Notaris treated the Discomycetes in a general way 

 under twenty six genera,* of which nine would be included in the 

 fleshy group. These were thrown together without any apparent 

 principle of arrangement. Microscopic characters such as the 

 form and color of the asci, paraphyses and spores were made use 

 of, but the measurements were given in but few instances. An- 

 other character which was occasionally used, especially in generic 



