78 BRITISH FUNGI 



Cantharellus 



The most striking character of this genus consists of the pecu- 

 Har structure of tlie gills, which in l)ooks are described as fold-like 

 structures, which literally means tliat they are relatively narrow 

 and equally thick throughout their entire width, thus differing 

 from ordinary gills, which are thick at the base or the point where 

 they spring from the stem, and gradually become thinner up to 

 the edge, like a section of the blade of a razor. In many of the 

 smaller, reduced species the gills are certainly reduced to blunt 

 folds or wrinkles. As a rule the gills are decurrent, often forking, 

 straight, that is, rarely joining each other during their course down 

 the cap. A greater variet}^ of form and structure of the cap is 

 met with in Cantharellus than in any other known genus. In tlie 

 higher forms it is firm and very fleshy, often wavy or very irregular 

 in outline. In another section of the genus the cap passes to the 

 other extreme, and is very thin, almost membranaceous, usually 

 wavy, more especially towards the arched or do\\n-turned edge. 

 In this section the cap is usually infundibuliform, the hollow of 

 the cap being continuous with that of the hollow stem down to its 

 base. In a third section, embracing the simplest and most reduced 

 species, the cap is often very thin and minute, resembling a thin, 

 flat or wavy membrane \\\i\\ a few chstant, very narrow folds, a 

 mere apology for gills. In such species the stem is often very short 

 and lateral, that is, springing from the edge of the cap, or may be 

 quite absent. Such minute species often grow on the larger mosses 

 in damp places. 



It may be truly said that Cantharellus is one of those genera 

 which does not suggest itself at sight because you happen to know 

 one or more species. The thick-edged, fold or wrinkle-like gills are 

 the feature that indicates the genus. 



Nyctalis 

 This genus agrees to some extent with Cantharellus in having 

 blunt or thick-edged gills, which are soft in consistenc\^ but is 

 readily distinguished b}- the fact that the species grow only on 

 the larger agarics when in a decaying condition. The species are 

 small, rarely exceeding J-| in. across the cap. The most remark- 

 able feature about the species included in Nyctalis is the presence 

 of a dense layer of conidia produced on the surface of the cap, 

 giving to it a mealy appearance. On germination these conidia 

 produce a mycelium which produces the fungus, whereas the true 

 spores germinate very tardily or not at all. It would appear that 

 in this genus the secondary conidia produced on the top of the 

 cap are going to supersede the function of true spores in the con- 

 tinuation of the species. 



