40 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FUNGI 



these excipuli expand so as to be nearly cup-shaped, and a com- 

 pact disc is exposed (Fig. 21). This corresponds to the cups 

 of the Discomycctes, but the substance is leathery or carbonaceous, 

 and when closed the receptacles approach the Zophiostomaceae, 

 which is sphaeriaceous. Nevertheless the most evident affinity 

 is with an excipulum, in the broad expanding mouth and the 

 definite disc, very evident in Tryhlidiella mfula, and its 

 relationship with the Discomycctes would be through Phacidiacei. 

 Other modifications need not be particularised, since these 

 principal types will be sufficient to indicate the character 

 of the receptacle in the majority of Fungi. We have the 

 vegetative system represented in the mycelium, which sends up 

 erect or compound branches in the form of a carpophore, for 

 the support of the receptacle in all cases where the receptacle 

 is stipitate, or, where the receptacle is wanting, then to support 

 the naked fruit. 



