BASIDIOMYCETES. 



This group includes the Hymenomycetes, mushrooms, toad- 

 stools, or all gill-bearing fungi, Polyporei, etc., which will be 

 given in order under the list. 



Fungi of this class are divided into five natural groups : 



1. Hymenomycetes. 



2. Gastromycetes. 



3. Uridineae. 



4. Ustilagineae. 



5. Tremellineae. 



GROUP I.— HYMENOMYCBTBS. 



Under this group are placed nearly all flesh 3^ fungi, such as 

 mushrooms, toadstools, shelves. They have a special open 

 surface called the hymenium. The group is divided into five 

 natural orders : 



1. Agaricini. Hymenium with gills. 



2. Polyporei. Hymenium with pores. 



3. H5^dnei. Hymenium with spines. 



4. Thelephorei. Hymenium even, flattened surface. 



5. Clavariei. Hj^menium on an even club-shaped surface. 



Order I. — Agaricini, or Agarics. 



This natural order includes all gill bearing fungi, commonly 

 called mushrooms, toadstools, etc. Berkeley in his outline of 

 British fungi gives the following definition : ' ' Hymenium 



