50 FUNGI. 
the threads are branched, but the spores are collected in clusters 
usually, and are moreover septate. In other genera similar 
distinctions prevail. These two groups of black moulds and 
white moulds are the noblest, and contain 
the largest number of genera and species 
amongst the Hyphomycetes. There is, how- 
ever, the small group of Jsariacez, in which 
the threads are compacted, and a semblance 
of such hymenomycetal forms as Clavaria 
and Pterula is the result, but it is doubtful 
if this group contains many autonomous 
species. In another small group, the Stzd- 
bacei, there is a composite character in the 
head, or receptacle,* and in the stem when 
the latter is present. Many of these, again, 
as Tubercularia, Volutella, Fusarium, &c., 
contain doubtful species. In Sepedoniei and 
Fig. 30.—Penicillium char- Trichodermacei, the threads are reduced to a 
tarum, Cooke. or 
minimum, and the spores are such a dis- 
tinctive element that through these groups the Hyphomycetes 
are linked with the Coniomycetes. These groups, however, are not 
of sufficient size or importance to demand from us, in a work of 
this character, anything more than the passing allusion which 
we have given to them. 
We come now to consider the structure in the Sporidiifera, in 
which the fructifying corpuscles or germs, whether called spores 
or sporidia, are generated within certain privileged cysts, usually 
in definite numbers. In systematic works, these are included 
under two orders, the Physomycetes and the Ascomycetes. The 
former of these consists of cyst-bearing moulds, and from their 
nearest affinity to the foregoing will occupy the first place. 
PHYSOMYCETES include, especially amongst the ALucorini, many 
most interesting and instructive species for study, which even 
very lately have occupied the attention of continental mycolo- 
gists. Most’ of these phenomena are associated more or less 
with reproduction, and as such will have to be adverted to again, 
* Cooke, ‘‘ Handbook of British Fungi,” vol. ii. p. 552. 
