Massee. — 0)1 the Fungus Flora of Neiv Zealand. 287 



BASIDIOMYCETBS. 



Naked spores borne on basidia ; basidia closely packed 

 side by side to form a continuous spore-bearing surface, or 

 hymenium, which may be exposed from the iirst, or concealed 

 until the spores are mature. Sexual reproduction absent. 



The Basidiomycetes are divided into two primary groups, 

 as follows : — 



1. HYMENOMYCETES. 



Hymenium exposed from the first, or at an early stage of 

 development, and before the spores are mature. 



2. GASTEOMYCETES. 



Hymenium concealed within a continuous membrane or peri- 

 dium until the spores are mature. 



HYMENOMYCETES. 



The Hyinenomycetes are divided into the following 

 families : — 



I. Agakicine^. 



Hymenium covering radiating gills or lamellae. 



II. POLYPOREJE. 



Hymenium lining the walls of pores or tubes. 



III. Hydne^. 

 Hyinenium covering slender spines, teeth, or granular warts. 



IV. Thelephoee^. 



Hymenium covering a smooth or very slightly irregular 

 surface. 



V. CLAYARIEiE. 



Hymenium spread over club-shaped or much-branched, erect 

 sporophores. 



VI. TREMELLINEiE. 



Sporophore entirely gelatinous, hymenium covering its entire 

 surface. 



AGARICINE^. 



The most highly differentiated of the Hymenomycetes, 

 characterized by having the hymenium spread over thin, 

 radiating gills or lamellae. The general structure consists of 

 the pileus, or cap (Plate XXII., fig. 6d), bearing the gills on 

 its under-surface, and supported by a stem. In the most 

 highly evolved forms the entire fungus is enclosed when quite 

 young in a continuous sheath or universal veil (Plate XXII., 

 figs. 4, 5), which becomes ruptured during growth, the upper 



