HYPHOMYCETES. 269 



altogether recalls to mind Lepiota lenticularis ; the latter is, 

 however, more robust and differs in the squamulose stem, 

 and absence of smell. 



HYPHOMYCETES. Corda (in part). 



Saprophytes or parasites, generally superficial, or nearly 

 so on the matrix ; rarely internal parasites in the bodies of 

 insects ; hyphae typically septate, more or less abundantly 

 developed, and bearing naked conidia. 



Hyphomycetes, Corda (in part), Icones Fung., i. p. 10. 



Hyphomyceteae, Saccardo, Syll., vol. iv. p. 1. 



The members of the present group are mostly individually 

 minute, and come under the designation of microscopic fungi, 

 and are known in popular language as "moulds." Most 

 species are gregarious, and form white or coloured, cottony 

 or velvety patches on decaying or dead plants and animals, 

 although some species are true parasites. The conidia, as the 

 minute spores or reproductive bodies are called, are always 

 borne naked, on the hyphae, and are never contained in 

 asei, or enclosed in sporangia, as in the PJiycomycetes, which 

 include Mucor and other genera, which are also frequently 

 included under the term " moulds." 



In a few species the heads of conidia are involved in 

 mucus, which may, under superficial examination be mistaken 

 for a membrane. Again in some groups the hyphae are also 

 more or less viscid, and are hence more or less horny when dry. 



"When mature, the conidia fall away very readily, and this 

 is especially the case when placed in water, hence when 

 the general habit, mode of branching, &c., of a specimen has 

 been first observed under a low power of the microscope, 

 it is best to remove a small portion with a pair of forceps, 

 and place it in a drop of absolute alcohol or acetic acid on 

 a slide ; by this means many of the conidia are retained in 

 their natural position; specimens treated in this way can 

 be stained, and afterwards mounted in Canada balsam or 

 glycerine jelly. 



Many forms included in the present family, that were at 

 one time considered as distinct species, have been shown by 

 recent researches to be only forms in the life-cycle of more 



