310 



FUNGI 



ment of which is quite unknown. Sclerotes were formerly classed to- 

 gether under the generic name of Sclerotium before it was recognised 

 that such bodies are mere growth forms, or rather resting forms, of 

 myceles of different fungi. Such a strand-mycele as that of Agaricus 

 melleus (L.), formerly considered an independent fungus (Rhizomorpha), 

 noticed above, has been aptly called a sclerote with a growing-point. 

 B. Frank (Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Gesellsch., 1885) has described masses 

 of fungal hyphae having a dense sclerotioid structure investing the roots 

 of trees (Cupuliferae, Salicacese, Coniferas) and intimately associated with 

 the superficial cells of the root. To these bodies, termed mycorhiza, a 

 symbiotic relationship with the trees in question is attributed, viz., the 



Fig. 270. — Agaricus melleus L. Longitudinal section througli apex of rhizomorph-strand 

 ( X 250). (After de Bary.) 



absorbing function of root-hairs, the formation of which mycorhiza 

 suppresses. 



The sporophores of fungi are either simple or compound. They 

 arise from the mycele, and produce the spores or definite organs 

 of propagation. Simple sporophores' are commonly erect branches 

 of the mycele which either remain unbranched or branch again. 

 The spores are borne at the extremities, and with the production of 

 these bodies the growth of the sporophore either ceases altogether, or 

 it may be renewed with farther production of spores. The modes of 

 branching and the forms of sporophore are characteristic of species of 

 fungi. ComDOund sporophores are structures often of considerable size, of 



