CONCLUSION 295 



groups the conidia (the origin of which could already be 

 traced in the Phycomycetes) have displaced the sporangia, 

 and assume very various forms, constituting the great 

 means of propagation. This high differentiation of 

 the conidia is very well marked among the Uredineae, 

 where we find four distinct kinds of conidial fructification : 

 the cecidiospores (though these may once have been sexually 

 produced), the uredospores,the teleutospores, and the sporidia, 

 not to mention the spermatia, which are of doubtful nature. 



The Uredineae are adapted to a strictly parasitic mode 

 of life, and in habit differ greatly from the Basidiomycetes, 

 especially if we consider a highly-organised representative 

 of the latter, such as the Mushroom. Yet the complex 

 fructifications of these highest of the Fungi are nothing but 

 elaborated conidiophores, and the basidium itself appears 

 to be comparable to a teleutospore germinating in situ. 



We see then that the Fungi form by themselves a 

 highly-complex cycle of relationship, touching the lower 

 Algae at one or two points, but otherwise distinct from 

 the rest of the vegetable kingdom. It is remarkable in 

 how small a proportion of this mass of saprophytic and 

 parasitic forms there is any evidence for the occurrence 

 of sexual reproduction. 



We must now retrace our steps to the Algae. The 

 Eed Seaweeds form a perfectly definite group by them- 

 selves, without clear connections either below or above. 

 Callithamnion is a fair average type ; some forms are 

 simpler, especially in the development of the fruit, but 

 even the simplest of the undoubted Florideae are highly- 

 organised plants, quite unlike any other family. Many 

 are much more complex than our type, but they are 

 complex in their own peculiar way, and do not show any 

 transition towards the higher groups of plants. 



