THE CORAL FUNGI 



clustered; some are joined by their bases, and others are 

 very much branched . Among the different colors seen 

 are white, yellow, violet, red, and l3rown. Some have 

 red at the tips only. * 



One of the handsomest of them is the j^ellow one 

 which is to be seen on this page. It grows from 

 four to six inches high. There is a stout stem which 

 goes down deep 



m 



into the ground. 



From this grow 



the branches, at 



first stout ones, 



and then slender 



and longer ones. 



These end in many 



tips. When young 



the branches are 



red, pink, or 



orange. As the 



plant grows older 



the color fades to a light yellowish or creamy 



buff. The spores are on the outside and probably 



give the fungus its color. The whole plant is 



very brittle. Therefore, it has to be handled with 



great care. 



This plant grows in the woods among the dead 

 leaves and decayed logs. The dimness of the forest is 

 lighted up by its bright-yellow branches. You see 



89 



The Elegant Clavaria. 



