CAPSULAR FUNGI— P YRENOMYCETES 



203 



smaller genera, and at length by Hyijocrm, in which the stroma 

 is pulvinate or effused, except in a few species with a vertical 

 stroma, and the sporidia are formed from a pair 

 of opposed globose cells, which separate at 

 maturity, and then appear to be sixteen globose 

 sporidia (Fig. 93). This is the typical form, but 

 the sporidia vary in most of the subgenera. 

 There can be no doubt that the eight divisions, 

 which are called genera by Saccardo, and sepa- 

 rated widely from each other in his system, on 

 account of differences in fructification, are naturally 

 closely allied to each other in structure, habit, 

 and development. The fundamental problem is 

 whether the latter are to be accepted as evidences 

 of close affinity, or the former ; and herein we are '■yi 

 at issue with Saccardo, contending that his car- fig. 92.— Co/- 

 pological classification of the Ascomyceteae, as t^Hl^^^ °^ 

 developed in the Syllogc, is artificial, whilst 

 the method we have adopted is natural. It may be true that 

 an artificial and mechanical arrangement offers greater facilities 

 for the novice or the superficial student, but it fails to satisfy 

 all those who are seeking something higher than a catalogue of 

 Latin names. 



In the second subfamily, the Nectricae, the perithecia are 

 all free of each other, sometimes scattered and sometimes 

 caespitose. The old genus Nedria, as 

 recognised by Fries, included both the 

 caespitose species, which are analogous 

 to Cucurhitaria in habit ; and the scat- 

 tered species, which are analogous to 

 the denudatae group of superficial 

 Sphaeriaceae. In our arrangement the 

 caespitose species are combined under 

 the old name of Nedria, whilst the 

 scattered species find their place in 

 another genus, under the name of 

 Dicdonedria. We need not repeat that 

 under each of these genera modifications of the sporidia fall 

 into place as subgenera. As a matter of fact it is well known 



Fig. 93. — Byiwcrm, with 

 section and sporidia. 



