GASTEROMYCETES. [ 349 ] GASTEROMYCETES. 



Fig. 268. 



Fig. 267. 



Fig. 267. 

 Fig. 268. 



Polysaccum crassipes. 

 Natural size. 

 Section from ditto, showing the loculi. 



Polysaccum crassipes. 



Cells of the hymenium, with basidia and spores. 

 Magn. 400 diams. 



at the time of dehiscence. The interior of 

 Polysaccum (fig. 268) and Scleroderma (fig. 

 270) consists, in the early state, of a mass of 

 cellular matter, formed by the prolongation 

 of the peridium, in the form of septa, in all 

 directions into the interior, so as to divide 

 it into chambers, each of which is lined 

 with a hymenium or concep^tacle, hollow in 

 the centre, into which project the ends of 

 the filaments, bearing basidia with two to 

 six spores. At the epoch of maturity all 

 the internal structure has vanished, except 

 the spores and detached particles of the 

 filaments on which they were developed ; 

 and these escape, on the bursting of the now 

 bag-like peridium, as a fine powder. In 

 Lycoperdon, &c., it is not the peridium 



Fig. 270. 



Fir. 271, 



Scleroderma vulgare. 



Fig. 270. Portion of the internal mass. Magn. 200 



diams. 

 Fig. 271. Cells of the hymenium, with basidia and 



spores. Magn. 400 diams. 



which is continued inwards to form cham- 

 bers ; it forms a single or double sac, con- 

 taining a fleshy substance (glebd), hollowed 

 out into sinuous cavities clothed with 

 basidia. In course of ripening, the spongy 

 mass disappears, leaving only a collection 

 of minute spores and filamentous fragments, 

 which are emitted by the bursting of the 

 peridium, a process exhibiting many cu- 

 rious peculiarities in this group. 



The Phalloidei are roundish or ovoid 

 fleshy balls in their earlier stages, but when 

 opened exhibit a distinct peridium and a 

 central lacunose sporiferous structure. The 



Fig 272. 



Lycoperdon cselatum. 



Section of the cfleba showing the loculi, on the walls of 



which the spores are produced. 



Magn. 200 diams. 



peridium consists of two layers, an inner 

 and an outer, united by firm gelatinous 



