268 CHAPTERS ON FUNGI. [September, 



BOTRYTIS. 



Spores simple^ collected in little sori (or heaps) on or towards 

 the apices of the flocci and their branches. 



BoTRYTis EFFUSA, Grcv. Spiuach Mould. Pale purplish- 

 grey; spreading fertile flocci branched above; branches short, 

 divaricate ; spores large, oval. 



On the under side of the leaves of the garden Spinach; 

 common. 



Forming effused pale purplish-grey spots on the under side of 

 the leaves, and rendering the leaf attacked yellow, especially over 

 the spots. 



Another species, Botrytis infestans, is generally considered to 

 be the cause of the potato-disease. 



Suborder 5. Sepedoniei. 



Mycelium predominant. Spores arising immediately from 

 the mycelium, or from very short fertile threads, very abundant, 

 generally large. 



A small group of Fungi, characterized by the high develop- 

 ment of the spores, while the fertile threads are much reduced, 

 and the plants therefore appear to consist almost wholly of spores. 



I take the typical genus Sepedonium as an illustration. 



Sepedonium. 



Spores globose, pellucid, at first covered by the flocci of the 

 fleecy mycelium. 



Sepedonium chrysospermum, Lk. Yellow Sepedonium. Flocci 

 fleecy, dense, white, spores golden-yellow, not appendiculated. — 

 Grev. So. Crypt. Fl. t. 198. 



On decaying Fungi, common, frequently penetrating the whole 

 Fungus, and converting it into yellow dust. 



It is found principally on Boleti and some Agarics, and its 

 presence may be known by the unhealthy appearance of the 

 plant, and in particular by a white cottony web or coating which 

 covers the affected part. When this is broken open the yellow 

 spores are seen filling the interior. They are very minute, and 

 it requires a high power of the microscope to render them distinct. 



