358 FUNGI. [CHAP. 



Other Fungi depart very widely from this Type, but nearly 

 all agree in the absence of green colouring-matter and 

 of starch in their cells, and in their dependence upon 

 decaying animal or vegetable matter for support. They 

 are mostly short-lived, and often deliquesce when mature, 

 though some, as the Touchwoods {Foiyponis), are hard and 

 woody. 



In many Fungi there is no distinction of stem and pileus ; 

 and the spore-bearing cells clothe excavations in the cellular 

 substance of the Fungus (as in Puff-balls, Lycoperdon), or 

 the spores may be formed in the interior of certain cells 

 called asd, two, four, or more together, as in the subter- 

 ranean esculent European fungus called Truffle {Tuber). 



Some botanists divide the Fungi into two Tribes : (i) 

 with the spores borne upon the exterior of cells called 

 basidia., and (2) with the spores developed in the interior of 

 cells called asd; those of the former Tribe being termed 

 Sporiferous, those of the latter Spc^idiferous. The variety 

 in arrangement of the reproductive systv-^m of the Fungi is 

 extreme, and there are very many species of which the life- 

 history is as yet imperfectly understood. 



Though a few of the Fungi are esculent, many are 

 dangerous, and some poisonous. None should be eaten 

 unless perfectly sound, and species with a disagreeable 

 odour should be avoided. Many Fungi are very injurious, 

 destroying large quantities of agricultural produce, timber, 

 and miscellaneous substances, when circumstances favour 

 their development. The Wheat Mildew, Smut, and Bunt 

 of Cereals, Ergot, Hop-blight, the Moulds, and Dry-rot, are 

 all Fungi. The Vine and Potato diseases are also due to 

 the ravages of minute species, which multiply with great 

 rapidity. As their spores are excessively minute, they cannot 

 be excluded by any mechanical contrivance. 



