GENERAL INFORMATION 35 



their closest relationship with the red seaweeds 

 forming the sixth Phylimi—RJiodophycece. 



Besides these four classes of funo^i there occur in 

 some other classes of normally green algce a few- 

 representatives that have assumed the fungus 

 habit, e.g. the Synchytriacece in Class Protococ- 

 coidece in the Phylum Chlo7vphycece. 



The four chief classes of fungi, however, are dis- 

 tinguished as follows : — 



Class PhycomycetecB (Lower Fungi). Vegetative 

 hyphee without cross walls (except in old age, 

 after injury, or to set-off the reproductive organs). 

 There are four orders : — 



{a) Saprolegniales with five or more families. 



{b) Peronosporales with two families. 



{c) Mticorales with four or more families. 



(^d) Entomophthorales with one or two families. 



Class Ascornycetece (Sac Fungi). Vegetative 

 hyphse septate. Perfect stage of reproduction 

 characterized by the formation of ascopores (usually 

 eight in number) in ovoid or cylindrical sacs called 

 asci. There are fifteen or more orders, and over 

 one hundred families ; many of them are important 

 parasites, and some form the organisms known as 

 lichens. 



Class Basidio)nycetece. Vegetative hyphaj septate. 

 Perfect stage of reproduction with (usually four) 

 basidiospores formed on short or long stalks (sterig- 

 mata) from ovoid or club-shaped basidia. There 







