54 FUNGUS-FLOEA. 



sterigma. A second type occurs in Dacryomyces and Guepinia, 

 where the basidium is more or less cylindrical and bifurcate 

 at the apex, each branch terminating in a sterigma that 

 bears a spore. A third type occurs in Tremella, where the 

 basidium at first appears as a subglobose or pear-shaped 

 body terminating a hypha; this body is early divided into 

 four portions at its apex by two septa that cross at right 

 angles, then each of the four divisions grows out into a long 

 sterigma that eventually bears a spore. In the two last- 

 named types the basidia are not transversely septate. The 

 spores are always hyaline or colourless, and the present family 

 is the only one included in the Basidiomycetes where some 

 of the species have septate spores. The spores on germina- 

 tion produce in many species characteristic secondary spores 

 or sporidiola. Brefeld has recently rearranged the genera, 

 based on the form and arrangement of the sporidiola to a 

 great extent ; time will prove whether this one character is 

 of more value than the sum of characters previously con- 

 sidered in the natural delimitation of genera. Brefeld has 

 also shown that conidia are not uncommon in various mem- 

 bers of the family ; in Tremella lutescens these are produced 

 on corymbose branches in .the substance of the sporophore, 

 while in Guepinia they are produced on the side opposite to 

 the hymenium. 



Microscopic examination is best effected after the specimens 

 have been hardened in alcohol or good methylated spirit, 

 when satisfactory sections can be cut, which is not possible 

 with the fresh gelatinous material. 



Suh-Fam. I. Auricularieae. 

 Basidia elongated or fusoid, simple, transversely septate. 



Suh-Fam. II. Teemellineae. 



Basidia subglobose, at maturity longitudinally quadripar- 

 tite in a cruciate manner, and producing at the apex two, or 

 usually four, elongated sterigmata. 



Suh-Fam. III. Dacryomyceteae. 



Basidia cylindrical or clavate, divided at the apex into 

 two long sterigmata, not septate. 



