300 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



Lamellae radiating from the centre or from a lateral point, 

 simple or forked, rarely irregularly anastomosing, often 

 connected transversely by thin ridge-like ril)S or veins. 

 Basidia normally tetrasporous, cystidia often present in the 

 hymeninm. Spores continuous, colourless or coLnired. 



The great majority of species are fleshy, and soon decay ; 

 others, however, are toiigh, coriaceous, or woody and per- 

 sistent. 



ANALYSIS OF SECTIONS. 



I. Melanosporae. 



Spores black. The gills black or dark grey and speckled 

 with the black sj^ores. No tinge of purple at maturity. 



II. PORPHYROSPORAE. 



Spores purjDle-black. Gills black or brown, with a purple 

 tinge at maturity. 



III. OcriROSPORAE. 



Spores ochraceous, bright brown or bright rust-colour. 

 Gills at maturity dingj^ ochraceous, brownish or bright fer- 

 ruginous, no tinge of purple present. 



IV. EHODOSPORiE. 



Spores salmon-colour or pink. Gills salmon-colour or 

 rosy at maturity ; the colour in some species is very pale, 

 and liable to be mistaken for members of the Leucosporae, 

 unless attention is paid to the colour of the spores in the 

 mass. In some of the Porphyrosporac the gills are pale rose 

 at an early stage of development, but become dark purple 

 later. 



V. Leucosporae. 



Spoies white. Gills in most species white at maturity ; 

 in many species, however, the gills are from the first, or at 

 s<mie stage of development, grey, yellow, rusty, &c., but 

 these tints are not due, as in the other sections, to the 



