Massee. — The Fungus Flora of Neiv Zealand. 23 



hispid. lu many of the higher forms, as Stereum,, Hymenochcete^ 

 &c., the sterile surface or pileus is brightly coloured and zoned. 



The principal feature of the present groujD is the even surface 

 of the hymenium, strictly confined to one side of the pileus, and 

 the one-celled or non-septate basidia, as compared with the 

 warts, spines, pores, or gills over which the spore-bearing surface 

 is disposed in other groups. In some of the resupinate species 

 of Corticium and Coniophora, where the flesh of the fungus is 

 very thin, the hymenium often presents a warted or wrinkled 

 surface, but on examination it will be found that this unevenness 

 is due to the very thin substance of the fungus following the 

 irregularities of the wood or other substance upon which it is 

 growing. 



Among the hy menial elements cystidia are verv' frequently 

 highly differentiated, and are of importance in fixing the limits 

 of genera. In Peniophora cystidia are very prominent, colour- 

 less, and the portion projecting above the general surface of the 

 hymenium often coated with particles of oxalate of lime. In 

 HymenochcBte, on the other hand, the cystidia are very thick- 

 walled, rigid, and coloured brown. In the two genera just 

 mentioned cystidia are so numerous in the hymenium, and 

 project so much above the level of the basidia, that the surface 

 presents a velvety appearance when seen through a pocket-lens. 

 . In the most highly developed species there is a distinct 

 central stem supporting a pileus which is usually depressed or 

 funnel-shaped, thus resembling in general build an agaric, differ- 

 ing, however, in the absence of gills on the imder surface of 

 the pileus, which is quite even and more or less polished. 



In some species of Stereum and Lachnodadium the pileus is 

 cut up into numerous narrow strips or shreds, and superficially 

 resembling certain species of Clavaria. In the last-named, 

 however, the hymenium completely surroimds the branches, 

 whereas in Stereum and Lachnocladium one side onlv of each 

 narrow branch bears the hymenium, the opposite side being 

 sterile and velvetv or hairv. 



Analysis of the Genera. 

 - A. Spores coloured. 

 * Spores smooth. 



49. CoNioPHORA. Resupinate. ; surface dry and pulverulent. 



** Spores warted or echinulate. 



50. Thelephora. Substance dry and fibrous ; hymenium often irregu- 



larly rugulose or nodulose. 



51. SoppiTTiELLA. Subgelatinous, effused or variously incrusting twigs, 



gi'ass, &c. 



