96 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the 



bearing a spore, resemble very closely the sporophores of 

 pileate and clavate Hymenomycetes. The notion that they 

 are condensed Coniomycetes arises from the consideration of 

 one or two obscure epiphyllous species, which are scarcely 

 more than abortive Uredos. 



We have then, as the typical group of Hymenomycetes, 

 Agaricus and allied genera. The subtypical consists clearly 

 of the clavate genera Clavaria, Calocera, &c. The Tremellini 

 and Sclerotiacei form two aberrant groups. The third aber- 

 rant group consists, if I mistake not, of Isaria and certain al- 

 lied genera. It is only necessary to compare the prickles of 

 one of the resupinate Hydna with the fruit-bearing hairs of 

 Isaria citrina, or, what is better, some of the more obscure 

 Pistillaria and Typhula, to be convinced of the propriety of 

 such an arrangement. Anthina, with its subgenus Pterula, 

 is still more evidently allied. Ceratium again has spores dis- 

 posed on short bristles, altogether reminding us of the Hyme- 

 nomycetes. The sporidia, of the second order mentioned by 

 Greville and Fries, are merely the tips of the spicules from 

 which the spores have fallen. It is remarkable that these 

 spicules are distinctly disposed in quincunxes. The spores 

 too, when seen with high powers, are much narrower at one 

 end, and have their longer axis vertical to the hymenium. 



The pileate Fungi pass evidently into the Tremellini by 

 means of Phlebia mesenterica, which scarcely differs generi- 

 cally from Exidia Auricula Judas, The Tremellini are con- 

 nected with Sclerotiacei by means of Pyrenium, and these 

 again with Isariacei by means of Periola. 



If we now turn to the cupulate and mitrate Fungi excluded* 

 from Hymenomycetes, we have in them, if I mistake not, the 

 typical and subtypical groups of another grand division cha- 

 racterized by the presence of true asci ; Peziza and its allied 

 genera forming the first, and Helvetia, Leotia, &c, exactly 

 analogous to Clavati, forming the second. We shall then have 

 as the aberrant groups the Scleromycetes, Perisporiacei, and 

 that part of Angiogastres comprising the truffles, Carpoboli, 

 and Nidularice. 



* In the new Systema Fungorum, the twelve first sheets of which I have 

 received from the author since the above was printed, these are, in fact, now 

 separated by Prof. Fries from Hymenomycetes, under the title of Discomy- 

 cetes. The Hymenium in the former is still described as aacigerous. 



