I0 TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI 



cetes, turning on the position of the nucleus in the basidium 

 during the stage of spindle formation. If the nucleus is 

 situated about the middle of the basidium, and the axis 

 of the spindle is parallel to the long axis of the basidium, 

 the fungus belongs to the Stichobasidiomycetes. On the 

 other hand, if the nucleus is found to occupy the upper 

 extremity of the basidium, and its spindle is formed at 

 right angles to the long axis of the basidium, the fungus 

 belongs to the Chiastobasidiomycetes. 



This scheme will probably not commend itself to all 

 mycologists. It is not always convenient to wait until the 

 nucleus in the basidium is inclined to undergo indirect 

 division, before the section to which a fungus belongs can 

 be determined. 



Under present conditions the value of a systematic 

 classification of plants depends entirely on its practica- 

 bility. Its primary object is to enable us to identify 

 species correctly, and common experience proves that 

 morphological characters are best adapted for this end. 

 Systematic botany thus understood is entirely outside the 

 sphere of cytology, physiology, etc., but, on the other hand, 

 these departments. of research are, or should be, dependent 

 on systematic work, to the extent of clearly indicating what 

 particular species has been the object of research. No 

 small number of the controversies and failures in attempt- 

 ing to corroborate the investigations of others have arisen 

 through mistaking one species for another. From the 

 above it will be gathered that what is termed systematic 

 botany is simply useful as a means to an end, whether 

 that end be an endeavour to learn something about the 

 life of a plant, or its certain identification from an 

 economic standpoint. It will thus be seen that the too 



