CLASSIFICATION 453 



mixed with the dry mass of spores, certain very fine, elongated 

 threads or hyphae, which may be simple or branched and with fine, 

 tapering ends. These threads are collectively termed the capilli- 

 tium, which is considered to assist in the expulsion of the spores 

 from the spore-sac or peridium. 



The third mode of spore dissemination is met with in the stink- 

 horn family, the Phalloideacefe. All the members of this family 

 remain fairly deeply buried in the ground and enclosed in a uni- 

 versal veil or volva until the spores are mature. When this con- 

 dition is reached the hymenium or spore-bearing portion bursts 

 through the volva, and is raised into the air on a very quickly 

 developed, long stem. The spores are always exceedingly minute, 

 and when the hymenium becomes exposed to the air its compo- 

 nents, basidia, paraphyses, etc., at once dehquesce and form a 

 very powerful, evil-smelling, very sweet-tasted gluten, in which 

 the minute spores are embedded. This gluten is greedily devoured 

 by flies of various kinds, who are attracted by the powerful smell 

 and brilliant red colours of many species. Some spores adhere to 

 the legs of the insects and are afterwards deposited here and there, 

 and are eventually washed to the ground by rain. Others pass 

 through the digestive tract of the insect without experiencing 

 any harm, and many such eventually find their way to the 

 ground. 



The deliquescence of the basidia and other elements constituting 

 the hymenial layer during some stage of development, for the pur- 

 pose of liberating the spores, is a common feature in the Gastero- 

 mycetes. In some of the puffballs and others, although the basidia 

 deliquesce, the sterigmata or little spicules at the apex of the basi- 

 dium, and which bear the spores, are persistent and remain attached 

 to the spores, which in consequence resemble miniature drumsticks 

 when seen under the microscope. 



Key to the Families 



Subterranean. More or less tuberous ; peridium indehiscent ; 

 gleba usually traversed by veins or dissepiments ; capillitium en- 

 tirely absent. Usually strong smelling at maturity. 



HymenogastcracccB. 



Developed at the surface of the ground. Peridium thick, not 

 composed of distinct layers, dehiscing by the irregular splitting or 

 by the decay of the upper portion ; gleba traversed by veins ; 

 capiUitium entirely absent. SdcrodermacecB. 



Developed above ground. Peridia at first closed, then widely 

 expanded. Contents of the gleba forming peridiola, or hard bodies, 

 containing the spores in their interior. Nidulariacece. 



Developed above ground. Peridium consisting of two or more 

 tlistinct layers ; spores forming a dry, powdery mass at maturity, 

 and mixed with a well-de\-eloi)ed capillitium. Lycopcrdacccr. 



