150 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FUNGI 



double, the exterior warty, spinulose, or powdery, and the inner 

 paper- like. In other genera, as in Bovista, the two coats are 

 more distinct. In Geaster they are still more distinct, the 

 outer peridium splitting in stellate rays. Thus much for the 

 general character, hut the varied modifications must be noted 

 hereafter. 



In some concise observations on this group Mr. Massee 

 remarks that no sexual organs have been observed, but he 

 alludes to the peculiar form of coalescence between two hyphal 

 cells under the name of clamp-connections, which are not un- 

 common (Fig. 62). "A slender lateral branch," he says, " springs 

 close to a transverse septum separating two superposed cells, 

 and, after growing for some time, its tip comes in contact with 

 the wall of the adjoining cell just beyond the 

 septum, absorption of the walls takes place at 

 the point of contact, and thus at first an open 

 communication is established, by means of the 

 lateral branch, between the two adjoining cells ; 

 at an early period this channel of communication 

 is usually interrupted by the appearance of a 

 septum at the point of origin of the lateral 

 branch, and a second septum is in some in- 

 stances formed at the point of contact with 

 Fra. 62.— ciamp- tne secon( j ce u # The lateral branch is usually 



connections. J 



closely pressed to the hypha from which it 

 springs, but sometimes becomes arched and free from the 

 hypha between the two points of attachment." 1 



Eeference is also made to the differentiation of the hyphae 

 which are contained within the peridium. In the gleba, or 

 hymenial pulp, of the Lycoperdaceae " at a very early period 

 two sets of hyphae are present. One, thin-walled, colourless, 

 septate, and rich in protoplasm, gives origin to the trama and 

 elements of the hymenium, and usually disappears entirely 

 after the formation of the spores ; the second type consists of 

 long, thick-walled, aseptate or sparsely septate, often coloured 

 hyphae, which are persistent and form the capillitium. The 

 latter are branches of the hyphae forming the hymenium." 



There are three somewhat aberrant groups which offer 

 1 Massee, Monograph of British Gastromyces, p. 4. 



