138 THE MICROSCOPIST. 



sacs are formed, one of which contains "germ-cells," and 

 the other antherozoids or "sperm-cells." When both are 

 ripe the sac opens, and the ciliated antherozoids pass into 

 the neighboring sac and fertilize its contents (Plate IX, 

 Fig. 109). 



In other fungi the reproductive cells are undistinguish- 

 able from the rest, and the coalescence takes place in a 

 new cell formed by the union of the other two. 



Mr. Berkeley divides fungi into six orders, as follows : 



1. Hymenomycetes or Agaricoidece, (Mushrooms, etc.). 

 Mycelium flocuose, inconspicuous, bearing fleshy fruits 

 which expand so as to expose the hymenium or sporifer- 

 ous membrane to the air. Spores generally in fours on 

 short pedicles. 



2. Gasteromycetes or Lycoperdoidece (Puff balls, etc.). 

 Fruit globular or oval, with convolutions covered by the 

 hymenium, which bears the spores in fours on distinct 

 pedicles. The convolutions break up into a pulverulent 

 or gelatinous mass. 



3. Coniomycetes or Uredoidece (Smuts, etc.). Mycelium 

 filamentous, parasitic. Microscopic fructification of ses- 

 sile or stalked spores in groups, sometimes septate. 



4. Hyphomycetes or Botrytoidew (Mildews, etc.). Micro- 

 scopic. Mycelium filamentous, epiphytic, with erect fila- 

 ments bearing terminal, free, single, simple, or septate 

 spores. 



5. Ascomycetes or Helvelloidece (Truffles, etc.). Myce- 

 lium inconspicuous. Fruit fleshy, leathery, horny, or ge- 

 latinous, lobed, or warty, with groups of elongated sacs 

 (asci or thecce) in which the spores (generally eight) are 

 developed. 



6. Physomycetes or Mucoroidece (Moulds). Mycelium 

 (microscopic) filamentous, bearing stalked sacs containing 

 numerous minute sporules. 



Protophytes, or primitive plants, afford many forms and 

 groups of great interest to the microscopist as well as to 



