rilALLOPIIYTA 



211 



ways (Fig. 591), as to both their minute and conspicuous structures. 

 In the higher forms, such as tlie mushrooms, tliis ])ocly consists of a stem 

 bearing a cap or Pileus (Fig. 590, a), wliich bears tlie si)ores under- 

 neath, on gills, teeth, or some 

 simihir support (Fig. 591). 



The Algae.— The Algae 

 are almost without rei)re- 

 sentation in the materia 

 medica, although they yield 

 important food supplies, 

 especially in Japan. P^ven 

 Chondrus, the most impor- 

 tant member in drug com- 

 merce, is in reality only a 

 food, while Fucus acts ratlicr 

 by inorganics, absorl)ed by 

 it from the sea-water, than 

 by any organic princi])lc of 

 its own. 



Fig. 590. Amanita phalloides. 



Fig. 591. Showing parts of Mushroom— .4oaric«s 

 {FsalUola) campestris: A, a section across a number of 

 gills, h; the hymenophore, /; the lamellae or gills, one of 

 which is more highly magnified in B, t, the central hyphal 

 tissue; liy, the /li/mivuiaH, or spore-bearing surface; C,a 

 portion of gill still more highly magnified, // the hyphae, 

 q; the basidia upon which the conidia or spores are borne, 

 s, s', »■" — conidia in different stages. (Sachs.) 



The Algae are essentially atiualics, and diU'cr from the Fungi in 

 possessing chloro})hyll or some similar substance, by which they are 

 enabled to l)uil(l up their food sui)i)lics from inorganic matter. 



The last nicnti()iu>d plant is among the liighcst of this class. The 

 thallus, or ])lant body (Fig. 592), coiisi.Ntiiig of a loose aggregation of 

 single cells, has a well-developed foot, tl.e di-k. by which it clings to 



