INTRODUCTION TO FUNGI. 141 



or forms of projections from the hymenium, one capitate, answering 

 to the supposed asci, the other attenuated. The Rev. M. J. 

 Berkeley has also examined the structure, and is of the same 

 opinion as ourselves — that both these organs are of the nature of 

 cystidia. A portion of the hymenium has also been forwarded to 

 M. de Seynes, who has had considerable experience in the exam- 

 ination of the hymenium of the Hymenomycetes, in the hope that 

 he "will add his opinion as to the nature of the bodies which have 

 been called asci. In this chapter illustrations are given of the 

 principal types of structure. 



Chapter III., on " Classification," explains, as far as the limits 

 of the volume would permit, the bases of classification, and the 

 relation of the different groups to each other, concluding with a 

 Tabular Arrangement of Families and Orders. 



Chapter IV., on the " Uses of Fungi," commences with an 

 enumeration of edible species, and concludes with those employed 

 in the arts. 



Chapter V., on " Notable Phenomena," gives a record of known 

 cases of phosphorescence, of changes in colour, of peculiar odours, 

 and other phenomena worthy of note. 



Chapter VI., on " The Spore and its Dissemination," details the 

 form and distribution of Basidiospores, Stylospores, Spermatia, 

 Trichospores, Sporangia, Thecaspores, &c., illustrated by some of 

 the principal types. 



Chapter VII., on " Germination and Growth," passes through 

 the different orders detailing the observations made by various 

 authors during the past five years on the germination, and in some 

 instances the production of secondary spores, with the different 

 phases through which certain species pass. 



Chapter VIII., on *' Sexual Reproduction," gives a summary of 

 all that is known of the supposed sexuality of Fungi, especially of 

 conjugation in the Mucors and other groups. 



Chapter IX., on " Polymorphism," deals with the different forms 

 under which the same fungus presents itself, in the first instance 

 such as present two or more forms of fruit, either consecutively or 

 simultaneously, on the same individual, and afterwards " suspected" 

 cases, in which the series is supposed to be completed in other 

 plants. 



Chapter X, on " Influences and Effects," treats of the relation 

 of fungi to disease, and then- influence on man, lower animals, and 

 plants. Under the latter section parasitic species and their checks 

 to vegetation are reviewed. 



Chapter XI., on " Habitats," treats the siibject from two posi- 

 tions — one the relation of Habitats to the different orders and 

 suborders, the other of the varied species which affect the same 

 Habitat. 



Chapter XII., on " Cultivation," is not confined to such species 

 as may be cultivated for economic use, but also relates to experi- 

 mental cultivation for scientific purposes. 



