THE FUNGI 411 
These arise from a subterranean mycelium and show an outer 
and inner peridial layer. The outer peridium is roughened at 
its base. The inner peridium is leathery and may or may not be 
continued over the top. When mature the crucible-like body 
shows black seed-like bodies inside which 
resemble eggs in a bird’s nest. Each 
one of these is connected with the inner 
peridium by a cord which resembles the 
umbilical cord of an animal. These 
inner bodies are called peridiola (sing. 
peridiolum). Each peridiolum consists of 
a hard glistening outer layer and a 
spongy inner layer surrounding a cavity 
into which basidia and _ basidiospores 
project. These fungi are found in stiff 
clayey soil. 
OrvER 3.—PHALLALES, the carrion 
or stink-horn fungi. This group con- 
sists of highly and characteristically 
colored forms which, when mature, emit 
most vile and penetrating odors. ‘The 
fruiting body, in each instance, begins as 
an egg-shaped structure which starts its 
growth from a widely spread under- 
ground mycelium of chalky-white color. 
As the “eggs”? enlarge they push above 
the surface of the ground. The central Fic. 306.—Mature stink- 
portion, elongating, then breaks through horn, Dictyophora duplicata. 
the outer or peridial portion, which (arshberger, from photo. by 
W. H. Walmsley.) 
remains as a cup or volva at the base of 
the mature fruit body. Upon the summit of the central stalk 
rests the cup-like, many-chambered gleba. ‘The basidiospores 
are imbedded in a greenish fetid slime formed by a mucilaginous 
disintegration of the substance of the hymenium. ‘This fetid 
green material is attractive to carrion flies which visit the plants 
and remove the material with its embedded spores. ‘The latter 
will not germinate until after passing through the alimentary 
canal of these flies. 
