ACROGENS, OR FLOWERLESS PLANTS. 



73 



612. The highest forms of the fungaceous order consist 

 of a stipes 6 , an annulus or collar 346 , a pileus 346 or cap, and 

 an hymenium. 



613. Lower forms are reduced to a mere peridium or in- 

 tegument, containing the reproductive system 342 . 



614. Some have the sporules enclosed in asci (606). 



615. The lowest consist of nothing but cells, placed end 

 to end, and enclosing spores in the terminal cells 344 . 



Of the special terms employed by Mycologists (writers on Fungaceous plants), 

 the principal are the following. The volva is the wrapper which covers over 

 many of them, as Agarics, in their youngest state. Thattus is the spawn 

 usually generated under ground, or amongst decaying matter. Velum is a 

 membrane that connects the pileus and collar. Cortina is that part of a velum 

 which adheres to the margin of the pileus. Flocci are wool-like threads found 

 t mixed with sporules ; and stroma is the body on which flocci grow. Orbiculi 

 are little disks contained within the peridia of certain genera. Sporangium 

 is the external coating of such genera as Lycoperdon 343 . Peritkecium is the 

 bag of fructification in Sphaeria 348 . Ostiolum is the mouth of the bag. 

 Capillitium is a kind of purse or net containing spores 34 *. Mycelia are 

 nascent fungi, or fragments of their spawn. 



