SPORE-DISCHARGE IN THE TREMELLINEAE 165 



difference in physiological function. The various types of basidia 

 in the Tremellineae will now be described, and I shall venture to 

 make a few suggestions concerning their significance. 



In the Auricularieae, the basidia are cylindrical, transversely 



FIG. 58. Femsjonia luteo-alba. Fruit-bodies growing downwards on a stick. 

 In each fruit-body only the under surface is covered with a hymenium. 

 Above, lateral view of stick in natural position. Below, same stick seen 

 from below. Only the hymenial surfaces are now visible. Found at 

 Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire, England. Natural size. 



septate, and four-celled ; each cell sends out a long sterigma which 

 pierces through the gelatinous matrix ; and the whole of the proto- 

 plasm in each cell, except a very thin lining layer, passes into its 

 associated spore. The basidia of most Uredineae are similar, 

 except that they are curved instead of straight and project freely 

 into the air instead of being developed in mucilage. The basidia 



