GERMINATION AND GROWTH. 



139 



they are concealed, and we shall secure a crop.* As to other 

 species, we know that hitherto all attempts to solve the mystery 

 of germination and cultivation has failed. There are several 

 species which it would be most desirable to cultivate if the con- 

 ditions could be discovered which are essential to germination.f 

 In the same manner the Boleti and Hydnei in fact, all other 

 hymenomycetal fungi, with the exception of the Tremellini still 

 require to be interrogated by persevering experiment and close 

 inquiry as to their mode of germination, but more especially as 

 to the essential conditions under which alone a fruitful mycelium 

 is produced. 



The germination of the spore has been 

 observed in some of the Tremellini. 

 Tulasne described it in Tremella vio- 

 lacea.\ These spores are white, unilo- 

 cular, and filled with a plastic matter 

 of homogeneous appearance. From some 

 portion of their surface an elongated 

 germ filament is produced, into which 

 the contents of the reproductive cell pass 

 until quite exhausted. Other spores, 

 perhaps more abundant, have a very 

 ditferent kind of vegetation. From 

 their convex side, more rarely from the 

 outer edge, these particular spores emit 

 a conical process, generally shorter than 

 themselves, and directed perpendicularly 

 to the axis of their figure. This appen- 

 dage becomes filled with protoplasm at the expense of the 



* The spores of Agarics which are devoured by flies, however, though returned 

 in their dung in an apparently perfect state, are quite effete. It is, we believe, 

 principally by the Syrphidce, which devour pollen, that fungus spores are con- 

 sumed. 



t All attempts at Chiswick failed with some of the more esculent species, and 

 Mr. Ingram at Belvoir, and the late Mr. Henderson at Milton, were unsuccessful 

 with native and imported spawn. 



t Tulasne, "On the Organization of the Tremellini," "Ann. des. Sci. Nat." 

 3 me ser. xix. (1853), p. 193. 



FIG. 79. (a) Basidia and spores 

 of Exidia, spiculosa; (6) Germi- 

 nating spore. 



