354 HYPOG^I. 



Family II. GASTEROMYCETES. 



Hymenium more or less permanently concealed, consisting in 

 most cases of closely-packed cells, of which the fertile ones bear 

 naked spores on distinct spicules, exposed only by the rupture 

 or decay of the investing coat or peridium. — Berk. Outl.p. 292. 



The fructification is essentially produced witliin the surrounding tissues. 

 A large portion are remarkable for the drying up of the hymenial tissues to 

 such an extent that the cavity contains a dusty mass of spores, mixed more 

 or less with threads, or the shrivelled remains of the constituent tissues,' 

 but this is not without exception. Some, again, are of a fleshy consistence 

 when young, while others, in an early stage of growth, exhibit little more 

 than an apparently inorganised mass of pulpy matter. One or two genera 

 exhibit beautiful spiral threads. A few are edible. — Berk. Introd. ]). 333, 



Hymenomycetous — 



Subterraneous, naked or enclosed . . Hypogcei. 



Terrestrial. Hymenium deliquescent . Phalloidei. 



Peridium enclosing sporangia, contain- 

 ing spores JVidulariacei. 



Coniospermous — 



Cellular at first. Hymenium drying up 

 into a dusty mass of threads and 

 spores TricJiogastres. 



Gelatinous at first, Peridium contain- 

 ing at length a dusty mass of threads 

 and spores Myxogastres. 



Order VII. HTPOG^I. 



Hymenium permanent, not becoming dusty or deliquescent, 

 except when decayed. Subterranean. — Berh. Outl.p. 2^2. 



Analogous to Tuberacei in many particulars, except that 

 the spores are not contained in asci. 



Peridium adhering to creeping, branched fibres, which traverse its surface — 



Cells at first pulpy. Spores smooth. . . . Melanogaster. 



Cells at first empty. Spores smooth . . . Rhizopogon, 

 Peridium fleshy or thin. Cells at first empty — 



Without distinct base. Spores echinulate . Hydnangium. 



With absorbing base. Spores various . . . Hymeiwg aster. 

 Peridium cottony. Cells at first empty — 



Spores rough. Octaviania. 



Peridium separable. Cells at first empty — 



Substance cartilagino-glutinous. Spores 



minute Hysterangiuvu 



