MADEEFOEARIAN FAMILY — THE FUNGIDiE. 147 



markings, wbich radiate from the inner part to the sides, or from 

 side to side, ascending obliquely and curving gradually to the 

 edge. In some instances there is no limitation of this radiating 

 structure at the synapticulum, the texture of which is evidently 

 continuous with that of the septum. But in the majority of 

 instances a dark line of separation exists at a short distance from 

 the septal edge, and which marks off the synapticulum. The 

 radiating fibrous-looking structure of the septum stops at this 

 dark line. On the other hand, the fibrous appearance of the 

 synapticulum is in a direction more or less at right angles to that 

 of the septum ; so that the dark line is bounded on one side by 

 septal or on the other by synapticular fibrous-looking structures, 

 which impinge on it at different angles. 



Opposite to the fixture of the synapticulum to the large septum 

 is its broad face of attachment to a thin septum of a high order ; 

 and the structures of the synapticulum are independent of, and 

 not continuous with, the tissue of the small septum. Very com- 

 monly the thin septa break off from the synapticulum and 

 leave it with a perfectly plane surface. 



In some instances a synapticulum is marked with a line of divi- 

 sion in its midst, midway between the septa on either side ; and then 

 one half participates in the peculiar structures of its septum, which 

 are continued into it in the same direction. 



In this last instance the synapticulum is a growth from the 

 septum, and is continuous with it ; but in the former it is an in- 

 dependent body joined on to two septa. 



The synapticula are often grooved vertically, so as to enlarge 

 the lumen of the canal which they help to form ; and they increase 

 beyond the normal dimensions towards the base, and unite in a 

 homogeneous mass composing the basal wall. 



The synapticula are not hypertrophied granulations, from which 

 they differ in shape, position, and structure. 



The microscopical structure of the synapticula is the same as 

 that of the larger septa. Yery thin sections show long, fusiform, 

 very narrow fibres placed side by side, or prisms with a base and 

 a very long body, or with a short and rapidly tapering body. In 

 some the larger end is rounded. Certain markings are seen by 

 transmitted light which are across the course of the fibres ; but 

 before considering their course or nature, it is necessary to re- 

 member that the fibres in a septum do not run in parallel and 

 superimposed layers everywhere. On the contrary, there is much 



