30 BRITISH FUNGI 



species are very soft and gelatinous, and occurred as very much 

 puckered or brain-like masses, growing out of dead wood, branches, 

 etc. T. mesenteria, a briglit orange, very much puckered mass, is 

 by no means uncommon on damp, rotten branches, stumps, etc. 

 In the genus Auricidaria, on the other hand, the fungus has a 

 distinctly marked sterile and fertile surface, the upper side being 

 silky and coloured like that of some members of the Polyporacese, 

 as Polystictus, the under surface bearing the hymenium being 

 smooth, pohshed, and more or less covered witli slightly raised ribs. 

 The entire fungus is somewhat gelatinous when moist. In Dacryo- 

 myces, a very primitive genus, the species resemble minute orange 

 masses of soft jell}^ (one or two lines across), oozing out of dead and 

 waterlogged fir poles, boards, etc. During dry weather the fungus 

 contracts, and is almost in^•isible. 



In some species of Trcmdla dense grape-like clusters of conidia 

 are produced in the tissue, either before or along with the proper 

 spores, borne on basidia. 



ASCOMYCETES 



As previous^ stated, the majority of species mcluded in this 

 division come under the category of microscopic fungi, being quite 

 minute, and requiring microscopic investigation for the determina- 

 tion of both generic and specific characters, and as such, lie outside 

 the scope of this book. On the other hand, some few members are 

 fairly large in size, not uncommon, and certain to be met with 

 during mycological rambles. Such are described, and in some 

 instances figured, and mostl}^ belong to the following families. 



Helvellace^ 

 The ascophore in this family is always stalked, and in species of 

 Helvella, commonly known as Morels, has the surface covered with 

 deep, irregular pits. In others the ascophore is very irregular 

 and wavy or saddle-shaped ; in others, again, it is bell- or thimble- 

 shaped, fitted loosely over the top of the stem. Morels appear in 

 the spring ; many are edible. 



Pezizace.^ 

 The members of this family are sometimes called cup fungi. The 

 ascophore is at first globose, but gradually expands until it becomes 

 cup-shaped or saucer-shaped, or in some instances it unrolls until 

 it is almost flat. The part that is exposed during the expansion 

 of the cup is called the disc,' and is often very brightly coloured. 

 A stem is present in some species, absent in others. 



SpH^RIACE/E 



In the larger species with which we have to deal, numerous 

 Perithecia or fruits, containing asci, are immersed in a more or less 



