S4 



CLASSIFICATION AND TAXONOMY OF FUNGI 



rank as a phylum. The reasons for these proposals need not be 



stressed. 



Keys are useful as aids in the identification of fungi, but in 

 the present imperfect state of knowledge no generally satisfac- 

 tory keys are possible. Those of Clements and Shear (1931) are 

 based upon Saccardo's groupings. The recent ones by Martin 



(1936, 1941) are most service- 

 able in determining the family 

 in which a given unknown or- 

 ganism belongs. Many mono- 

 graphic treatments of specific 

 orders and families that con- 

 tain keys are available and 

 W'ill be mentioned subse- 

 quently. The class and or- 

 dinal key that follow^s pro- 

 vides an introduction to the 

 major groups of fungi and 

 gives some indication of their 

 interrelation. 



That these keys are neces- 

 sarily artificial cannot be too 

 strongly emphasized. Experi- 

 ence is an irreplaceable asset 

 in the use of these keys or, 

 for that matter, of any others. 

 Terms must be understood, 



Stavirospore 



Allantospore 



and a glossary may prove 



Fig. 9. Artificial groupings within 

 families are based in part upon shape 

 of spores and septation. The names 

 given apply to the characteristics of 

 spores. 



helpful, although not wholly 



satisfactory. Exceptions will be encountered, and it must be 



appreciated that the taxonomic position of many species has not 



yet been established wdth finahty. This conclusion is all too 



apparent even among groups of fungi that have been excellently 



monographed or are best known. 



THE CLASSES OF FUNGI 



1. Vegetative or assimilatory stage plasmodial Class Myxomycetes 4 



1. Vegetative or assimilatory stage usually filamentous 2 



2. Mycelium usually non-septate throughout Class Phycomycetes 11 



2. Mycelium septate throughout 



