756 FUNGI. 
Spores not mixed with elaters. Illustrative Genera :—Riccia, 
Mich. ; Spherocarpus, Mich. 
These sub-orders are sometimes regarded as distinct orders. 
Distribution and Numbers.-—These plants are generally dis- 
tributed over the globe, but they are most abundant in damp 
shady places in tropical climates. There are about 700 
species. 
Properties and Uses.—-Of no importance, although some have 
been used in liver complaints, and other species, as Marchantia 
hemispherica, have been employed, in the form of poultices, in 
dropsy. 
Division II. THALLOPHY 
Order 1. Funet, the Mushroom Order.—Diagnosis. Plants 
formed of hyphal tissue, producing their fructification in the 
air; growing in or upon decaying organic matters (in which 
case they are termed saprophytes), or on living organisms (when 
they are termed parasites), and nourished through their vegeta- 
tive structure called the spawn or mycelium (figs. 6, my, and 
839 a, my). The Fungi, as here defined—that is, excluding 
Lichenes, are also destitute of green colouring matter and 
starch. Fructification various. (See pages 378-387, and figs. 
835—850. ) 
Division of the Order.—For a notice of the groups into which 
this order has been divided, see pages 378-387. 
Distribution and Numbers.—They abound in all parts of the 
world except the very coldest, where their spawn would be 
destroyed. Illustrative Genera :—Agaricus, Lum. ; Saccharo- 
myces, Meyen ; Botrytis, Mich.; Morchella, Dillen.; Tuber, 
Mich.; Mucor, Mich. The number of species is roughly esti- 
mated at over 4,000. There are about 800 Pritish species. 
Properties and Uses.—Fungi have very variable properties. 
Some are medicinal, others edible, and numerous species are more 
or less poisonous. Many deaths have occurred from poisonous 
Fungi having been mistaken for edible ones; and, apart from 
their botanical characters, science as yet atfords no certain charac- 
teristics by which they may be distinguished. Some general 
characters, however, will enable us in most cases to do so: these 
may be tabulated as follows :— 
Edible Mushrooms. 
1. Grow solitary in dry airy places. 
2. Generally white or brownish. 
2, Have a compact brittle flesh. 
4. When cut do not change colour by exposure to the air. 
5. Juice watery. 
6. Odour agreeable. 
7. Taste not bitter, acrid, salt, or astringent. 
act 
