Mo7^phology. 7 



various liliaceous plants^ has its mycelium ramifying 

 through the tissues of the leaf^ and sends spore-bearing 

 branches into the air through the stomata ; this takes 

 place during the summer, and in the autumn when 

 the leaf is fadhig, small sclerotia are formed by the 

 mycelium in its interior in the following manner, — 

 one of the cells of a hypha becomes larger than the 

 rest, and is then divided by two septa, in planes at 

 right angles to each other, into four cells ; this process 

 is repeated with more or less regularity in each of the 

 daughter-cells, and this process of division is repeated 

 until a mass of tissue is formed resulting from the 

 division of cells by planes lying in different directions ; 

 sometimes two or more adjoining hyphal cells divide 

 in a similar manner to form an irregular, elongated 

 sclerotium. Many-celled spores are frequently formed 

 in a similar manner. 



The mycelium, usually after devoting a longer or 

 shorter period of time to vegetative work, by which is 

 meant, work connected with the well-being of the 

 individual, and not directly concerned with reproduc- 

 tion, or continuation of the species in time, gives 

 origin to a more or less complicated arrangement of 

 hyphae, for the special purpose of producing repro- 

 ductive organs, and known collectively as the sporo- 

 phore. As illustrations, the ^^ spawn " or underground 

 mycelium of the common mushroom is the vegetative 

 portion of the fungus, whereas the stem, cap and gills 

 together form the sporophore. Again, in the greenish- 

 blue mould common on jam, bread, &c., the thin felt- 

 like layer resting on the surface of the substance, along 

 with the hyphge sent down into the matrix, form the 



