FUNGI. 553 



which is ultimately raptured; and when the rapture takes place at the 

 edge of the pileus, an annulus or ring is left on the stipes (fig. 783 a a). 

 The hymenium, or the part on which the organs of reproduction are 

 placed, consists in the agaric of cellular plates, lamellae, or gills, radiating 

 from the centre (fig. 783 h). In other genera of Fungi (fig. 786) it 

 consists of tubes or solid columns, or fleshy or gelatinous matter. 

 Sometimes the hymenium is on the upper surface of the fungus. 

 Cellular plants, often growing on decaying organic matter, generally 

 very fugacious, and presenting various colours. They are found in all 

 parts of the world. 



1123. The following are the divisions usually recognised, as defined 

 by Berkeley : 



1. Hymenomycetes (vu.r.t, a membrane, and t*.i>xr.t, a fungus): Hymenium naked, 

 spores in sets of four (fig. 784 6), and borne on distinct sporophores (figs. 

 783, 785). 



2. Gasteromycetes (y*<rrr, a belly) ; Hymeninm enclosed in a membrane (peri- 

 dium), spores as in section 1 (figs. 786, 787). 



3. Coniomycetes (o>;, powder). Flocci of the fruit obsolete or mere peduncles, 



spores single, often partitioned, and on more or less distinct sporophores. 



4. Hyphomycetes (;?*. I weave): Thallus floccose, spores naked, often septate. 



5. Ascomycetes (ia-xo;, a bag) : Sporidia (spores) contained often in sets of eight 



in asci or tubes. 



rt. Physomycetes (fO<r*, a bladder): Thallus floccose, spores surrounded by a 

 vesicular veil or sporangium. 



Under these sections Berkeley enumerates 598 genera, including about 

 iOOO species. Examples Agaricus, Polyporus, Hydnum, Clavaria . 

 Phallus, Geaster, Bovista, Craterium, Nidularia; Bactridium, Torula' 

 Uredo, ^Ecidium; Ceratium, Tubercularia, Botrytis, Penicillium; Hel- 

 vella, Peziza, Tuber, Erysiphe, Onygena; Phy corny ces, Mucor. 



1124. The plants of this order deserve attention, whether we regard 

 rheir esculent, or their poisonous qualities, or the destruction which 

 they cause by their parasitic growth. In this country the chief 

 species eaten are Agaricus campestris, the common Mushroom, Agaricus 

 Georgii, Morchella esculenta and other species of Morel, Tuber cibarium, 

 Truffle. In foreign countries, as in France, Italy, Germany, and 

 Russia, numerous Fungi are used as food, which have acted as poisons 

 in this country. The process of cooking, as well as the climate, may 

 have some effect in modifying their qualities. Agaricus procerus is 

 eaten abroad ; but I have seen a case of poisoning from it occur in 

 Edinburgh. In Eome it is stated that the yearly average of taxed 

 mushrooms, from 1837 to 1847, was between 60 and 80,000 pounds 

 weight. The finest mushroom is said to be the Agaricus Prunulus. 

 Amanita muscaria is a poisonous species, which is used as a means of 

 intoxication in Kamtschatka. It is said to give this property to the 

 urine of those who eat it: It is not easy to distinguish between edible 

 and poisonous Fungi. It has been said that the latter are often highly 



