326 



DIVISION II. — COURSE OF DEVELOPMENT OF FUNGI. 



for ourselves of the only possible form of the parts when enclosed in the peridium. 

 The cavity of the stipe is in this case also opened wide between the lobes ; the 

 somewhat more persistent outer layer of the glcba with its thin walls makes no 

 difference in this respect. To arrive at the form of Phallus caninus or Simblum, 

 we must have the stipe closed at the apex and projecting in a conical shape into 

 the gl( li.i. and the lobes must entirely disappear. We are not at present acquainted 

 with any intermediate forms. But if none are found, we have sufficient material to 

 show the family connection. Other genera than those already named are not taken 

 into the comparison, because they are not clearly known or because it is unnecessary 

 to adduce them. The reader is referred for them to the works which describe this 

 group. 



Phallus and its nearest allies are the members of the series of the Phalloideae which 

 depart farthest from the rest of the Gastromycetcs. Clathrus is a link of connection 

 between them and the Gastromycetes through the Lycoperdaceae. To see this we 

 have only to compare its compound sporophores when ripening but still closed with 

 those of Geastcr, and the collenchyma-layer of most species of this genus, at any 

 rate that of G. hygrometricus, with the rcceptaculum of Clathrus. The relation is 



FIG. 157. Coins hirudinosus. 

 Sketch of a mature isolated recep- 

 taculuin which has issued from the 

 peridium. The black gleba hangs 

 down under the sieve-like terminal 

 plate. After Tulasne in Explor. 

 Scientif. d'Alg-erie. Twice the natural 

 sUe. 



FlG. 158. Aseroe rubra. Sketch of a mature recep- 

 taculum which has issued from the peridium attached to it 

 below, and bears the gleba in the middle of the ra 

 expansion. After Berkeley in Hooker's Journ. Ill, 

 Tab. V. Half the natural 



FlG. 159. Aserophattus. 



A ripe compound sporophore. 



After Montague and Le- 



r. 1. c, in note on p. 525. 



Natural size. 





brought out very clearly by the circumstance that there are individuals of C. 

 cancellatus, in which the bars of the lattice-work, even in the ripe compound sporo- 

 phore, are excessively broad and the interstices only narrow slits ; here therefore the 

 rcceptaculum is a hollow body only slightly perforated. 



The connection between Clathrus and Geaster appears to me to be still more com- 

 pletely established by the genus Mitremyces, which is chiefly American and still far 

 from being thoroughly known. But I do not attempt to describe it here, for I have 

 no sufficient account before me of the history of its development 1 . 



6. A description of the genera Tulostoma, Poiysaccum, and Sphaerobolus may 

 be given here by way of appendix, because they depart in a remarkable manner 

 from the type of the groups which we have just been considering. But no special 

 proof is required to show that they approach very near to them and especially to 

 the Lycoperdaceae, and in this position may be regarded as the representatives of 

 distinct and at present small divisions which have to be co-ordinated with the others. 



For the facts as at present known, see E. Fischer in hot. Ztg. 1884. 



