THE CARPOPHORE 



27 



carpophore in the Hymemomycetes, in all of which the hymenium 

 is inferior, and therefore it is essential to its development that 

 the receptacle should be raised sufficiently above the matrix 

 to permit of a free development of the hymenium. The 

 carpophore is only suppressed or obsolete when the receptacle 

 grows out at right angles to the matrix, and then no stem is 

 essential. Furthermore, so many species grow on vegetable 

 debris and dead leaves, hence a stem is necessary to push the 

 pileus into the light. All collectors know how much the 

 stems are lengthened beyond their normal proportions when 

 the mycelium is deeply imbedded" in the loose soil, and that 

 the hymenium is not developed until the pileus is elevated 

 into the light. In the Gastromycetes the hymenium is not 

 inferior, so that it is sufficient if the receptacle is just above 

 the soil, and hence the carpophore is short. The Phalloidei 

 are exceptional, as the hymenium is not concealed, but must 

 be well exposed, in order to mature speedily. 



All the remainder of the large fleshy Fungi belong to the 

 Discomycetes, in which the hymenium is exposed on the upper 

 surface, and therefore, as might be expected, the carpophore is 

 often short or absent. The Morels 

 and Helvellas are all stipitate, and 

 the receptacle is like a cap or hood ; 

 but as they are terrestrial, often grow- 

 ing in loose soil and amongst debris, a 

 carpophore long enough to bring the 

 receptacle into the light is essential. In 

 this case the substance scarcely differs 

 from that of the cap, but it is robust, 

 and the external stratum is not car- 

 tilaginous. In several genera of ter- 

 restrial habit the form is clavate, with 

 a carpophore long enough to bring the 



hymenium through the short grass into the light, just as in 

 simple club - shaped forms of Clavaria. We need only to 

 allude to the old genus Peziza, whatever the modern designation 

 may be, for all of the species are cup-shaped in form (Fig. 12), and 

 the hymenium is turned to the light, hence all the carpophore 

 which is necessary is that which is sufficient for such a purpose, 



Fig. 12. — Receptacle or cup 

 of Peziza. 



