26 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FUNGI 



we have the closest resemblance to the carpophores of the 

 moulds, even to dendritic branching, but of a larger and more 

 robust habit. Jsaria is often closely imitated in external 

 appearance by Clavaria. The most anomalous of all groups in 

 respect to the carpophore is the Tremellini, but even in this 

 there is a link in Guepinia, Gyrocephalus, and Ditiola. We 

 have not forgotten that in some of the Basidiomycetes the 

 whole of the Fungus, in its earliest stage, when seated upon the 

 mycelium, and before the development of the carpophore, is 

 enveloped in a volva. This is not, however, more than a 

 generic distinction, in any case, and reaches its highest de- 

 velopment in Amanita, Volvaria, Ithyphattus, Clathrus, etc. 

 It might be compared to the calyptra in mosses and liver- 

 worts, but is by no means so general, and without so much 

 significance. 



The Gastromycetes are not so well provided with a carpo- 

 phore as the Hymenomycetes, but at the same time 

 there is no degradation to resupinate or overturned 

 forms. The majority of the Phalloid Gastromycetes 

 have a distinct carpophore, which is functionally the 

 same as in Agarics, but the structure is more loosely 

 cellular (Fig. 11), and, from rapidity of growth, 

 lacunose. It is only in Fungi like these, which 

 are quick to decay, that we encounter such a loose 

 texture of cells in the carpophore. In Podaxis 

 the form of the entire plant resembles that of 

 Ooprinus, but the carpophore is rigid, almost 

 woody, as it is also in Batarrea, Xylopodium, and 

 Tylostoma. The carpophore in Secotium, approaches 

 the type of the coriaceous Agaricini, such as 

 Fl ™ 1 ^' - Ca ^" Lentinus. There are no other genera which call 



popnore in ° 



ithyphaiius for special notice respecting the carpophore, which 

 impuduus. j g gjyjj^ am j a i mos k spurious in Scleroderma and 



Polysaccjtm, rare in Lycoperdon, and then only a prolongation 

 of the spongy base of the receptacle. In nearly every genus 

 except Gyrophragmium, Podaxis, and Secotiwn,, it expands into, 

 and is confluent with the receptacle. The subterranean species, 

 like the truffles, have no carpophore. 



It is not difficult to comprehend , the functions of the 



