68 FUNGI. 



sporophores. When specimens are very old and decaying, the 

 interior may become pulverulent or deliquescent. The structure 

 of subterranean fungi attracted the attention of Messrs. Tulasne, 

 and led to the production of a splendid monograph on the 

 subject.* Another order belonging to this sub-family is the 

 Phalloidei, in which the volva or peridium is ruptured whilst 

 the plant is still immature, and the liymenium when mature 

 becomes deliquescent. JSTot only are some members of this 

 order most singular in appearance, but they possess an odour 

 so foetid as to be unapproached in this property by any other 

 vegetable production.f In this order, the inner stratum of the 

 investing volva is gelatinous. When still young, and previous 

 to the rupture of the volva, the hymenium presents sinuous 

 cavities in which the spores are produced on spicules, after the 

 manner of llymenomijcetes.% Nidnlariacei is a somewhat aber- 

 rant order, presenting a peculiar structure. The peridinm con- 

 sists of two or three coats, and bursts at the apex, either 

 irregularly or in a stellate manner, or by the separation of 

 a little lid. Within the cavity are contained one or more 

 secondary receptacles, which are either free or attached by 

 elastic threads to the common receptacle. Ultimately the 

 secondary receptacles are hollow, and spores are produced 

 in the interior, borne on spicules. The appearance in some 

 genera as of a little bird's-nest containing eggs has furnished 

 the name to the order. 



The second sub-family contains the coniospermous puff-balls, 

 and includes two orders, in which the most readily distinguish- 

 able feature is the cellular condition of the entire plant, in its 

 earlier stages, in the Tricliogastres, and the gelatinous condition 

 of the early state of the 3Iyxogastres. Both are ultimately 

 resolved internally into a dusty mass of threads and spores. 



* Tulasne, L. R. and C., "Fungi Hypogsei," Paris, 1851; "Observations sur 

 le Genre Elaphomyces," in "Ann. des Sci. Nat." 1841, xvi. 5. 



t Stapelice in this respect approach most closely to the Phalloidei. 



J Berkeley, in "Ann. Nat. Hist." vol. iv. p. 155. 



Tulasne, L. R. and C., "Recherches sur 1'Organisation et le Mode de Fruc- 

 tification dcs Nidulari&s," "Ann. des Sci. Nat." (184-1), i. p. 41. 



