G. MASSEE OX BASIDIOMYCETES. 



general appearance and size, the heart of a curled broccoli plant. 

 There is no attempt to protect the hymeniiim from rain or dust, 

 the branches standing erect and exposed from the earliest stage of 

 growth. All the species are edible — in other words, there is an 

 entire absence of those alkaloids or other substances injurious to 

 animal life, which are so commonly present in species belonging 

 to the higher families. About three hundred species are known, 

 most grow on the ground, and are most abundant in temperate 

 regions. 



Thelephore.e. — The most important feature presented by 

 this family is the gradual evolution of a method for the protection 

 of the hymenium from rain and dust, and the method adopted 

 proved to be so satisfactory that it is followed in all succeeding 

 families. In the most primitive genera, Hypochnus and 

 Corticimn, the entire fungus presents the appearance of a thin 

 crust or layer firmly attached to decaying wood or bark, some- 

 what resembling a coat of paint or plaster, quite inseparable from 

 the matrix, and having the entire exposed surface covered with 

 the hymenium, which is consequently entirely unprotected, as in 

 the Clavariere. 



In the genus Stereuin the first attempt to protect the 

 hymenium is observed ; in the simplest forms the entire fungus 

 lies flat and firmly attached throughout to the matrix, as in 

 Corticium. In other species the extreme upper margin of the 

 fungus remains free from the matrix, and carves away from 

 the substance on which it is growing. In other species again the 

 free surface is broader and curves away from the matrix, the 

 hymenium, situated on the under surface of the arched portion^ 

 being thus protected from rain, dust, etc., falling on its surface. 

 The upper surface of the arched portion of the fungus is sterile, 

 and serves as a protective layer to the hymenium, situated below. 

 Finally, in the highest species of Stereuin the spore-bearing 

 portion is quite free from the matrix and more or less funnel- 

 shaped, the hymenium being confined to the imder surface, 

 pointing to the ground, the upper surface being sterile and 

 protective in function ; there is in many species a distinct stem 

 of considerable length. As already stated, the entire energy of 

 the present family appears to have been expended in evolving 

 a method for protecting the hymenium from injury by rain, 

 etc., the idea of adding to the hymenial surface being held in 



