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FAMILY IV. HYPHOMYCETES. 



Filamentous fungi, the threads, generally free, are sometimes 

 agglutinated together so as to form a compact stem ; fertile 

 stems rarely wanting, arise from the vegetative threads, bearing 

 minute spores (conidia) at their tips 



In the first order, Isariacei, we find a stem more or less 

 compacted, and thus assuming the forms of higher fungi. The 

 typical Genus Isaria is, for the most part, composed of conidiiferous 

 phases of Sphoeriacei. Ceratium is subgelatinous, dissolving 

 away in water ; its stems are clothed with fertile flocci ; the 

 spores arc seated each upon a separate reticulation. 



In the second order, Stilbacei, the receptacle is subglobose, 

 often stipitate, clothed with minute, diffluent, subgelatinous 

 spores. 



The third order in our present Family is the Dematiei. Here 

 the threads are generally free, seldom collected into stem-like 

 bundles, and more or less carbonized, as are often the simple or 

 septate spores. Arthrobotryum atrum gives an example of a 

 species possessing a distinct and compound stem. It is very 

 common on old, dead stems of nettles, and is a pretty microscopic 

 object. It shares its habitat frequently with 12 or 14 other 

 species of fungi, so that the rotting stems of the nettle will give a 

 day or two's work to the cryptogamist. 



In Corda's figure of Helmisporium stemphylioides in his Pracht- 

 Flora we may surely see the simple form of Arthrobotryum atrum, 

 at least the spores are so much alike as fairly to warrant us in 

 coming to that conclusion. The Mucedines constitute our fourth 

 order. Their threads are never coated with a distinct membrane 

 as in Dematiei, and are mostly white, or coloured, rarely dingy. 

 The Genera are very numerous. Penicillium glaucum will serve 

 to represent the order. Our last order, Sepedoniei, possesses a 

 floccose mycelium ; the fertile flocci are obscure, and, in conse- 

 quence, the spores rest upon the matrix. Tlie spores in this 

 order arc the principal element, which thus approaches the 



