34 FUNGI. 
the other is so rapid, that the relation between the spores and 
threads, and their mode of attachment, has never been definitely 
made out. [t has been supposed that the spinulose projections 
from the capillitium in some species are the remains 
of pedicels from which the spores have fallen, but 
there is no evidence beyond this supposition in its 
favour, whilst on the other hand, in Stemonitis, for 
instance, there is a profuse interlacing capillitium, 
and no spines have been detected. In order to 
strengthen the supposition, spines should be more 
commonly present. The threads, or capillitium, form 
a beautiful reticulated network in Stemonitis, Cribra- 
ria, Diachea, Dietydium, &. In Spumaria, Reticu- 
laria, Lycogala, &c., they are almost obsolete.* In 
no group is the examination of the development of 
structure more difficult, for the reasons already 
alleged, than in the Myxogastres. 
i Nipvzarracer. —This small group departs in some 
Fic. 12._Da. important particulars from the general type of struc- 
cheu elegans. ture present in the rest of the Gasteromycetes.f 
The plants here included may be described under three parts, 
the mycelium, the peridium, and the sporangia. The mycelium 
is often plentiful, stout, rigid, interlacing, and 
coloured, running over the surface of the soil, or 
amongst the vegetable débris on which the fungi 
establish themselves. The peridia are seated upon 
this mycelium, and in most instances are at length 
open above, taking the form of cups, or beakers. 
ee These organs consist of three strata of tissue vary_ 
vernicosus. ing in structure, the external being fibrous, and 
sometimes hairy, the interior cellular and delicate, the inter- 
mediate thick and at length tough, coriaceous, aud resistant. 
¥°In some of the genera, as, for instance, in Badhamia, Enerthenema, and 
Reticuluria, the spores are produced within delicate cells or cysts, which are 
afterwards absorbed. 
+ Tulasne, ‘‘ Essai d'une Monographie des Nidnlariées,” in ‘Ann, des Sci. 
Nat.” (1844), i. 41 and 64. 
