8 FUNGUS-FLORA. 



thus forming a number of free, closed, hollow bodies or 

 2)eridiola, the inner surface being lined with basidia. These 

 fungi are popularly known as birds'-nest fungi, the open 

 peridium corresponding to the nest and the peridiola to the 

 eggs. 



In some of the subterranean species the basal portion of 

 the peridial wall is more or less thicker than the remainder, 

 and in the above-ground species this thickened portion or 

 sterile base is much more highly developed, and, as its name 

 denotes, is sterile, or does not produce basidia and spores. 

 In the species oi Lycoperdon, &c., the sterile base is developed 

 downwards as a stem, in other species it grows upwards into 

 the glelja as a more or less cylindrical, compact, sterile, 

 hemisphei'ical, or column-like pillar, called the columella. 



In the sub-family Phalloideae the outer covering or peri- 

 dium is termed the volva, and the hymenium is elevated on 

 a variouslj^-formed receptacle. When the spores are formed 

 the hymenial elements, basidia, &c., deliquesce and form in 

 most sjiecies a very strong-smelling, green, semi-liquid, 

 dripping mass, in which the spores are imliedded. This 

 green substance contains a considerable amount of a sac- 

 charine substance, which is greedily soiight after by flies, 

 through whose agency the spores are supposed to be dis- 

 persed. In many species the receptacle is brilliantly coloured, 

 thus serving as an additional attraction to their insect 

 visitors. No trace of a capillitium is present. 



GASTEOMYCETES. 



Subterranean, or appearing above-ground when mature ; 

 hymenium concealed within a continuous peridium or volva 

 until the sjiores are formed. Basidia variable, cylindrical, 

 clavate, or sub-globose ; spores })roduc(jd laterally (Tiilostama) 

 or at the apex of tlie basidia, variable in number, often moi'e 

 than four, always continuous (= one-celled or without septa). 

 Capillitium often present. 



Fam. I. IIVAIENOGASTREAK. 



Subterranean. Peridium indehiscent ; cai)illitium absent. 



