STRUCTURE. 35 



When first formed, the peridia are spherical, they then elongate 

 and expand, the mouth being for some time closed by a veil, 

 or diaphragm, which ultimately disappears. Within the cups 

 lentil-shaped bodies are attached to the base and sides by elastic 

 cords. These are the sporangia. Each of these has a com- 

 plicated structure ; externally there is a filamentous tunic, 

 composed of interlaced fibres, sometimes called the peridiole ; 

 beneath this is the cortex, of compact homogenous structure, 

 then follows a cellular thicker stratum, bearing, towards the 

 centre of the sporangia, delicate branched threads, or sporo- 

 phores, on which, at their extremities, 

 the ovate spores are generated, some- 

 times in pairs, but normally, it would 

 seem that they are quaternary on spicules, 

 the threads being true basidia. The whole 

 structure is exceedingly interesting and 

 peculiar, and may be studied in detail in 

 Tulasne's memoir on this group. 



SPH^RONEMEI. In this very large and, 

 within certain limits, variable order, there 

 is but little of interest as regards struc- 

 ture, which is not better illustrated else- 

 where ; as, for instance, some sort of peri- . FlG - 14 ;~; 



* gium. b. * 



thecium is always present, but this can phore. <i. Spores. 

 be better studied in the Spk&riacei. The spores are mostly very 

 minute, borne on delicate sporophores, which originate from the 

 inner surface of the perithecia, but the majority of so-called 

 species are undoubtedly conditions of sphaeriaceous fungi, either 

 spermatogonia or pycnidia, and are of much more interest 

 when studied in connection with the higher forms to which they 

 belong.* Probably the number of complete and autonomous 

 species are very few. 



MELANCONIEI. Here, again, are associated together a great 

 number of what formerly were considered good species of fungi, 

 but which are now known to be but conditions of other forms. 



* Berkeley, M. J., " Introduction, Crypt. Bot." p. 330. 



I 



