INTRODUCTION. 



Tov fiT] diappaiadivras ets *ai8ov poXfiv. 



Msch. ProH. Vine. 243. 



In teaching any science, a clear exposition of principal facts is a necessary preliminary. Some 

 observations upon the arrangement of genera and species are required, as well as a statement 

 of the characteristic parts of Funguses, to enable the reader to follow the descriptions of indi- 

 vidual specimens with satisfaction However clear and significant the terse classical expres- 

 sions of botanical science may be to the adept, they are cryptical to the uninitiated; to assign, 

 however, precise equivalents for them in common language is so difficult, that the indulgence 

 of the masters ia cryptogaraic lore is entreated for the attempt ; it woidd be a much lighter task 

 to adhere to accepted terms, than to render them intelligible to the student by translation. 



CRYPTOGAMIA.' 



FUNGI. 

 Plants in which the fructifying organs are so minute, that without the aid of a powerful 

 microscope, they cannot be detected. To the naked eye, the fine dust ejected from the plant, 

 is the only token of reproduction ; this dust however is not truly seed, in the same manner 

 that the term is used for Phenogamous '^ plants, " the word seed supposes the existence of an 

 embryo, and there is no such thing in the reproductive bodies of Fungi " *. The correct terms 

 are spores, when the seeds are not in a case (naked) ; sporidia when enclosed in cases (thecse 

 or asci). The spores or sporidia are placed in or upon the receptacle, which is of very various 

 forms and kinds, but how different soever these may be, it is the essential part of the Fungus, 



' From KpvTTTos, concealed, and yapos, marriage. 



2 From ipdtveiv, to appear, and ydpoi, marriage ; plants which display their flowers (in opposition to the 

 Cryptogamous). 



^ Rev. M. J. Berkeley, who has recently made some most interesting observations on this subject. Vide also 

 the Rev. Dr. Badham's work on the ' Esculent Funguses of England ', in which are some vei-y ingenious speculations 

 on the development of the tribe from the spores. 



B 



