GENERAL INTRODUCTION 9 



consists of a large, irregular network (Plate XXXVI, Fig. 8). In 

 this family the spores are exceedingly minute, and when they are 

 mature, become involved in a semi-liquid, greenish-olive slime, 

 which has a very sweet taste and a very strong, abominable smell. 

 The peculiar outgrowths and shapes of these fungi described above 

 are often brilliantly coloured, most frequently some shade of red, and 

 down these structures the shme containing tlie spores trickles, until 



Cap of the stinkhoni {Ithyphaliiis iiiipiuiiius), with several 

 ■■ bluebottle " flies feeding on the strong-smelling mucus 

 containing the minute spores, 



they are more or less covered with a glairj^ mass. Now flies of 

 various kinds devour tliis slime greedih', and consequently swallow 

 the spores, which are eventually deposited here and there, many of 

 which in due course germinate and produce the fungus in a new 

 localit}^ The object of all these apparently fantastic shapes 

 presented by different members of the family is for the purpose of 

 enabling the slime containing the spores to spread over a consider- 

 able area, and thus afford a landing-stage for a considerable number 

 of insects at the moment the spores are ready for distribution. 



