Discomycetes 



SUB-CLASS ASCOMYCETES. 



The reproductive bodies consisting of sporidia mostly definite, con- 

 tained in asci mother cells or sacs springing from a naked or enclosed 

 stratum of fructifying cells and forming a hymenium or nucleus. The 

 sporidia are often accompanied by simple or branched threads, which 

 are abortive asci, called paraphyses. 



In Hymenomycetes the spores are entirely unenclosed and are borne 

 on stalk-like processes on the gills of Agaricaceae, in the tubes of Poly- 

 poraceae, on the spines of Hydnaceae, etc. In Ascomycetes they are 

 enclosed in sacs springing from the external layer of the fruit-bearing 

 surface, which may be on the outer surface of the plant or enclosed. 



COHORT DISCOMTCETES. Gr.-a. sac; Gr.-a fungus. 



The most important distinctive feature of Discomycetes consists in 

 the disk or hymenium being fully exposed at maturity. It includes 

 families which contain choice edible species. 



FAMILY. HELVELLA'CB^J. 



Fleshy, waxy or gelatinous; hymenium or sac-bearing surface ex- 

 posed at first, or at length more or less exposed. Where a distinct 

 stem is present it is surmounted by a more or less definite pileus or the 

 stem is expanded into a club-like head. In Peziza the definite stem is 

 absent and the plant is seated on the supporting surface. 



Many more genera than are noted below are included in Helvellaceae, 

 but are not known to contain edible species. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA. 

 * Margin only or whole of pileus free from sides of stem. 



HELVELLA. Page 536. 



Pileus drooping, irregularly waved and lobed. 



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