2'.ii) 



PLANT STtiOlES 



2(;i), iiiul tlie mushrdom-like lUileti (Figs. 202, 2(;3). The 

 " eiir-fungi " t'oriu gelatininis, diirk-browii, shell-shiiped 

 masses, and the " uoral fungi" resemhle braiieliiiig corals 

 (Fig. 204). Tlie Hydiiuiu forms have sjjinous ])rocesses 



instead of gills (Fig. 

 265). The putfballs or- 

 ganize globular bodies 

 (Fig. 200), within which 

 the s])ores develop, and 

 are not liberated until 

 ripe ; and with them 

 belong also the " bird's 

 nest fungus," the " earth 

 star," the ill-smelling 

 " stink-horn," etc. 



OTHEI! TTIALLOPHYTES 

 WITIHIUT CIILOUUPII VLL 



1 9 2 . Slime - moulds. — 



These jtei'plexing forms, 

 named dfi/.rumi/cetes, do 

 not seem to be related 

 to any group of iihmts, 

 and it is a. ipiestion 

 whetlu^r tliev are to be regarded as plants or animals. The 

 working lioily is a mass of naked pi'otojibism calK'd a. ji/as- 

 iiuiill II III, suggesting the tei'iu " slinu\" and slips along like 

 a gigantic ani(i^1>a. They are common in forests, upon 

 black soil, fallen leaves, a.nd decaying logs, the slimy yel- 

 low or orange masses ranging from the size of a i)inliead 

 h) as large as a man's hand. 'I'hey are sa.])ro])b3'tic, and 

 ai-e said to engidf food as do the ama3l)as. So suggestive 

 ol' certain low a,ninuds is this body and food hahit that 

 slinie-nioulds luive also Ijeen called Jfi/rrfotoi/ or " fungus- 

 animals." 



lirlcsci 



wliicli thi' btisiilin an 

 ■cliblr. Altrr Oir.SON. 



