THE FERN'S PLACE IN NATURE. 51 



4. Ph/eophyce^,. (Rock-weeds, devil's-aprons, Sargas 



sum, and other marine forms ; brown algae.) 



5. Rhodophyce^. (Red and purple algae; mostly marine.) 



6. Charace^. (Stoneworts of fresh waters.) 



1 28. The Fungi may be divided into four main groups : 



1. Myxomycetes. (Slime-moulds.)* 



2. Schizomycetes. (Bacteria.) 



3. Phycomycetes. (The lower or algal Fungi.) 



4. Eumycetes. (The higher or spore-fruit Fungi.) 



I 29. The Phycomycetes are represented by the following 

 groups : 



1. Chytridiacccc. (Of simple structure, parasitic on algae, 



etc.) 



2. Mticorincc. (Black moulds.) 



3. EfitoinophtJun-ziuc. (Fly-fungus, and others parasitic on 



insects.) 



4. Saprolegniacccc. (Water-moulds, some forms parasitic 



on fish,) 



5. reronosporacea. (Downy mildews, white rust, potato- 



rot, etc.) 

 1 30. The Eumycetes include two types, the first known 

 as Basidtomyceies bearing the spores on enlarged cells known 

 as bastdia, and the second known ;is Ascomycetes, from the fact 

 that the spores are borne in sacs (known as asci). Of the fol- 

 lowing groups the first five are Basidiomycetes and the last six 

 are Ascomycetes : 



1. Ustilaginece. (Smuts of grain, corn, etc.) 



2. Ureditiece. (Rusts, cluster-cups, cedar-apples.) 



3. Trc)neUinece.\ (Gelatinous fungi.) 



4. Hyinenomycetes. (Mushrooms, toadstools, bracket- 



fungi, etc.) 



* The Myxomycetes in their vegetative stages are unlike all other plants, 

 consisting of naked masses of protoplasm and are capable of an apparent 

 creeping motion. In their fruiting condition they show a superficial resem- 

 blance to some of the Gastromycetes with which they were formerly associated. 

 Their true position in the world of life is not yet settled, some removing them 

 entirely from the vegetable kingdom. 



t This is really a composite group consisting of at least three orders. In 

 this limited outline only the more common and conspicuous groups are noted. 



