ITHYPHALLUS 351 



Erumpent, wall hard, black externally, 1-2 mm. diam.. 

 spores pale yellow, 5-6 //. diam., carried up on a plume-like 

 tuft of yellow hyphae 2-3 mm. long. 



Sponging with a solution of permanganate of potash kills 

 the spores. 



BASIDIOMYCETES 



Spores borne at the apex of a i-celled basidium or special- 

 ised cell. Spores i-celled. 



GASTEEOMYCETACEAE 



This group is characterised by having the hymenium 

 enclosed and completely concealed from view until the spores 

 are mature. The puffballs (Lycoptrdon), bird's-nest fungi 

 (Cyathus\ stinkhorns (lthyphalhi$\ and several subterranean 

 fungi commonly mistaken for truffles, but distinguished by 

 having the spores produced on basidia instead of in asci, are 

 familiar examples. Perhaps there are fewer true parasites 

 included in this group of fungi than in any other. The 

 strong smell of the stinkhorns is for the purpose of attracting 

 flies, who feed on the slimy substance on the hymenium in 

 which the very minute spores are involved. By these means 

 the spores are spread, those that pass through the body of a 

 fly germinating readily. 



ITHYPHALLUS 



Receptacle bursting through the volva and becoming 

 elongated, hollow, cellular, perforated at the apex, pileus 

 reticulated, attached only to the apex of the receptacle which 

 it covers like a loose thimble. 



Vine root rot (Ithyphallus impudicus, Fischer) perhaps 

 better known under the old name of Phallus impudicus 

 (Grev.), is a very common fungus in this country, and readily 

 recognised by its peculiar appearance, and its abominable 

 smell at maturity. When young the fungus is buried in 

 humus and spreads in all directions underground by means 

 df snow-white, cord-like mycelium. According to Istvanffi, 

 the mycelium of this fungus is very injurious to vines, enter- 

 ing the roots and stem near the ground-level and causing a 



