BASIDIOMYCETES. 145 



of the basidium divides into four nuclei, each of which ^is transferred to a 

 spore. 



In addition to the basidia, simple conidiophores are also found. 

 In the Protobasidiomycetes, the simple conidia are very generally 

 found as accessory methods of reproduction in conjunction with 

 the basidiospores ; but less frequently in the Autobasidiomycetes, 

 e.g. among the Dacryomycetes, Tomentellacege, Heterolasidion 

 annosum. 



The simple conidiophores vary in size, and in the number and shape of 

 the conidia ; they, however, resemble the basidia, and are doubtless an early 

 stage iu the development of the definitely formed basidia. 



Finally, well-defined cldamydospores, formed in various ways, 

 appear in the Basidiomycetes as supplementary reproductive bodies 

 (compare p. 90). Among the Protobasidiomycetes, chlamydospores 

 are at present only found among the Uredinacese, but in various 

 forms ; in the majority of families of the Autobasidiomycetes 

 oidia frequently occur (Fig. 162), bat genuine chlamydospores 

 seldom. 



In the same species several of the known forms of reproduc- 

 tion may be distinguished. 



The mycelium is generally composed of white, branched strands, 

 consisting of numerous felted hyphas ; in some, sclerotia are 

 found. The great majority are saprophytes ; some (particularly 

 all the Uredinaceee), are parasites. 



DIVISIONS OF THE BASIDIOMYCETES. 



Series 1. PROTOBASIDIOMYCETES : partly gymnocarpic, partly angiocarpic. 

 ,, 2. AUTOBASIDIOMYCETES. 



Family 1. DACRYOMYCETES : gymnocarpic. 



2. HYMEXOMYCETES : partly gymnocarpic, partly hemian- 



giocarpic. 



3. PHALLOIDEJE : hemiangiocarpic. 

 4. GASTEROMYCETES : angiocarpic. 

 Appended. BASIDIOLICHENES : Lichen-forming basidiomycetes. 



Series I. Protobasidiomycetes. 



To this series belong the lowest of the Basidiomycetes. The 

 basidia appear in two principal forms (1 and 2 on page 144) and 

 are divided into four cells, either transversely or longitudinally, 

 each division forming a sterigma which abstricts a basidiospore. 

 The first three orders, Ureclinacete, Auriculariaceae, and Treniel- 



w. B. L 



