66 British Fiuigi. 



evolved by certain processes of differentiation from 

 previously existing species. If so, assuming that the 

 gonidial stage of an originally pleomorphic fungus 

 alone remains, the ascigerous condition having been 

 entirely arrested, should the gonidial form still be 

 considered a phase of a higher form that has no exis- 

 tence, or, being capable of carrying on an entirely 

 independent existence, will it ever be entitled to rank 

 as a species ? If not, then, from the evolution stand- 

 point, all living organisms, from analogy, are merely 

 forms of a primitive progenitor. From the above it 

 will be seen that in a systematic work the Sphserop- 

 sidepBy Melanconiese, and Hypliomijcetes must be 

 admitted, and until their affinities are demonstrated 

 by direct experiment, not analogy, it will be well to 

 use the terms genera and species in the ordinary sense. 



The following schemes of classification will indicate 

 the views of affinity as understood by the best 

 authorities at .the present day. 



According to Sachs ^ the fungi are supposed to be 

 side branches from algte, expressed as follows : — 



'' Professor Fischer still treats Algae and Fungi as 

 two entirely distinct series developed in parallel rows ; 

 while I suppose that in each class Fungi have diverged 

 as ramifications from various types of Alg^. 



Thallophytes. 

 Class I. Peotophyta. 

 Containing cldoroplnjll. 



Not containing chloro^ 

 phyll. 

 Schizomycetes. 

 Saccharomycetes. 



2 Text-Book of Botany, second English ed., p. 244. 



Cyanophycea3. 

 Palmellaces3 (in part). 



