350 



INTRODUCTION TO CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 



there are distinct gills, as decided as those of Xerotus. The 

 genus is, in fact, scarcely distinguishable from a true Hymeno- 

 mycete. The spores exhibit few peculiarities ; and where they 

 have been observed in situ, they are borne by short spicules 

 upon the sporophores. The flocci of Podaxon (Fig. 5, c) ex- 

 hibit a spiral structure. A species of Secotium, which is found 



Fig. 77. 



a. Cauloglossum transversarium, Fr., with spores. From Eev. M. A. 

 Curtis. 



b. Tremella viscosa. Threads with their sporophores, sterigmata, and 

 spores. 



c. Spore of Dacrymyces deliquescens, producing spores of a second 

 order, or spermatia. 



d. Sporophores of Tremella mesenterica in an early and more ad- 

 vanced stage, after Tulasne. 



on the Swan River, is said to be one of the most delicious of 

 esculent Fungi, A species of Podaxon has been used to cure 

 ulcers. Podaxon affects mostly the nests of white ants, but 

 this is not uniformly the case. The genus occurs amongst 

 grass in Teneriffe, and Egypt. None of the species ascend 

 higher than the shores of the Mediterranean. Podaxon occurs 



