290 



PLANT STUDIES 



261), and the mnshroom-like Boleti (Figs. 262, 263). The 

 "ear-fungi" form gelatinous, dark-brown, shell-shaped 

 masses, and the '' coral fungi " resemble branching corals 

 (Fig. 264). The Hydnum forms have spinous processes 



instead of gills (Fig. 

 265). The puffballs or- 

 ganize globular bodies 

 (Fig. 266), within which 

 the spores develop, and 

 are not liberated until 



ripe; 



and with them 



belong also the "bird's 

 nest fungus,'' the " earth 

 star," the ill-smelling 

 "stink-horn," etc. 



OTHER THALLOPHYTES 

 WITHOUT CHLOROPHYLL 



192. Slime -moulds. — 



These perplexing forms, 

 named Myxomycetes^ do 

 not seem to be related 

 to any group of plants, 

 and it is a question 

 wdiether they are to be regarded as plants or animals. The 

 working body is a mass of naked protoplasm called a plas- 

 modiimi^ suggesting the term " slime," and slips along like 

 a gigantic amoeba. They are common in forests, upon 

 black soil, fallen leaves, and decaying logs, the slimy yel- 

 low or orange masses ranging from the size of a pinhead 

 to as large as a man's hand. They are saprophytic, and 

 are said to engulf food as do the amoebas. So suggestive 

 of certain low animals is this body and food habit that 

 slime-moulds have also been called Mycetozoa or " fungus- 

 animals." 



Fig. 266. Pnffballs, in which the basidia and 

 spores are inclosed ; edible. — After Gibson. 



