74 



PLANT STRUCTURES 



61), and the mushroom-like Boleti (Figs. 62, 63). The 

 "ear-fungi" form gelatinous, dark-brown, shell-shaped 

 masses, and the " coral fungi " resemble branching corals 

 (Fig. 64). The Hydnum forms have spinous processes 



instead of gills (Fig. 

 65). The puffballs or- 

 ganize globular bodies 

 (Fig. 66), within which 

 the spores develop, and 

 are not liberated until 

 ripe ; and with them 

 belong also the "bird's 

 nest fungus," the "earth 

 star," the ill-smelling 

 "stink-horn," etc. 





FIG. 66. Puffballs. in which the basidia and 

 spores are inclosed : edible. After GIBSON. 



OTHER THALLOPHYTES 

 WITHOUT CHLOROPHYLL 



5 1 . Slime - moulds. 

 These perplexing forms, 

 named Myxomycetes, do 

 not seem to be related 

 to any group of plants, 

 and it is a question 



whether they are to be regarded as plants or animals. The 

 working body is a mass of naked protoplasm called a pjfix- 

 m odium, suggesting the term " slime," and slips along like 

 a gigantic amoeba. They are common in forests, upon 

 black soil, fallen leaves, and decaying logs, the slimy yel- 

 low or orange masses ranging from the size of a pinhead 

 to as large as a man's hand. They are saprophytic, and 

 are said to engulf food as do the amo3bas. So suggestive 

 of certain low animals is this body and food habit that 

 slime-moulds have also been called Mycetozoa or " fungus- 

 animals." 



