16 OUTLINES OF BRITISH FUNGOLOGY. 



which follows, consisting of those ]\Ioulds which bear naked 

 fruit, and are known under the name of Hyphomycetes, from 

 their filamentous character. The Blue- mould of cheese and 

 paste, and the common species which run over preserves and 

 other stores are familiar examples. Some are so bright in 

 colour and form such compact masses that they readily at- 

 tract notice ; but there are few, if any, which do not require 

 the use of the microscope, even for the accurate examination 

 of their outward forms. Some of these Moulds, again, are 

 mere conditions of other Fungi. Though difficult of exami- 

 nation, they amply repay investigation. They are divided into 

 five groups, Isariei, Stilbacei, Dematiei, Mucedines, and Sejje- 

 doniei, of which it is not easy to give popular examples. The 

 first two contain species in which the threads of which the 

 plants are composed are closely compacted, so as in some cases 

 to make them resemble the Clavate Fungi mentioned above 

 (p. 9). The red Fungus, so common in gardens on dead 

 currant-branches, forming little scarlet, cushion-like masses, 

 is a good example of the second."^ The species of the third 

 division consist of loose threads, which are mostly dark, as if 

 carbonized ; while the white or purer coloured Moulds consti- 

 tute the fourth. The typical genus of the last sul)division, 

 Sepedonium, is familiar to many, from its transforming the 

 Boleli of our woods into a bright-yellow spongy mass. 



This terminates the first scries of Fungi, consisting of four 

 divisions, in which the fructifying bodies are naked and ex- 

 posed. There are, however, other plants included in the term, 

 which differ greatly in structure, but many of which are readily 

 recognized by the common observer as true Fungi, while others 

 are as minute and obscure as the black specks noticed before. 

 At present we are looking principally to outward characters. It 



* This, liowcvor, is probably merely a state of Nectria cinnahanna. 



