INTRODUCTION TO CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 297 



respectively those Fungi which bear naked spores, and those 

 which bear sporidia in asci. We have seen that many of the 

 ascigerous Fungi bear a second form of fruit, which consists 

 of naked spores borne on the tij^s of sporophores ; and in some 

 cases other forms of fruit occur, as in Erysiplie and its alhes. 

 In Physomycetes, two sorts of cysts grow sometimes on the 

 same thread, with sporidia of different kinds in either cyst. 

 It will be seen, again, in the order which we have now under 

 consideration, that more than one form of fruit occurs. Some- 

 times we have merely a second kind of naked fruit, but there 

 are other cases also where there is a regular sporangium. 

 Such observations are, however, in their infancy ; and there 

 seems to be such a regular gradation from the humblest mould 

 to the noblest Agaric, that I cannot induce myself to 

 regard the sporangium as the higher fruit, and the spores as 

 subordinate, though there can be no doubt that in many 

 Sphcevice such a condition holds good. The naked spore, 

 indeed, being the normal fruit of the noblest Fvmgi, must be 

 regarded as indicative of higher station, even though the asci- 

 gerous form, considered simply as fruit, be supposed to have 

 the greater dignity. It will be seen, again, when we get to 

 higher Fungi, that we have occasionally spores inclosed in 

 cysts, where there can be no doubt whatever as to affinity. 



315. The species contained in the division Hypltomycetes, 

 consist of Fungi which, like Mucorini, are known under the 

 common name of moulds. All organised matter is soon com- 

 pelled by their agency to undergo chemical change, or when 

 chemical change has taken place supplies a fitting matrix for 

 their development. The common blue mould of cheese, the 

 brick red cheese mould, and the scarlet or orange strata which 

 grow on tubers or roots stored up for use, when commencing 

 to decay, are familiar examples. Nothing, however, escapes 

 their ravages. The silk or cloth stored up in our wardrobes, 

 the meal and sugar of our kitchens, nay, the very glass of our 

 windows, suffer in greater or in less degTee. In a few cases, as 

 in cheese, their growth is encouraged, and steps are even 

 taken to inoculate untainted cheeses ; but in other instances 

 they are a destructive poison, unless, indeed, the evil effects 



