INTRODUCTION TO CEYPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 



73 



with a Cenomyce (Fig. 18, b), for there are no perfect Lichens 

 which will not come under one general type of fractification, we 

 shall at once see that it can only be by straining words beyond 



Fig. 17. 



a. Sporea of Oymnosporium fulvum, Berk., magnified from specimens 

 received from Mr. Lea. 



b. Cordyceps Sindairii, Berk, in Fl. of New Zeal., p. 338, from spe- 

 cimens communicated by Mr. Gourlie. 



their proper meaning, that a technical character can be framed 

 which shall comprise all. And more especially when we reflect, 

 that many of the lower Algas consist apparently of a succession 

 of divisions of a few primeval cells, without any distinct thallus, 

 however obscure ; that others are mere ramifications, or pro- 

 longations of a single thread ; while others, again, are almost as 

 complicated as higher Cryptogams, and approach them in the 

 development of a distinct stem with foUaceous appendages, 

 and these frequently furnished with nerves and veins, so as to 

 simulate those of higher plants. Simple as the lower types 

 are, we should be much deceived if we supposed that the same 

 simplicity pervaded the whole class. A glance at the figures 

 of Tulasne and Kiitzing, representative of Truffles and the 

 larger Algse, wUl be sufficient to dispel such a notion. The 

 dignity of these bodies is in truth not to be measured by the 

 more ignoble species, some of which, however, on examination, 

 prove far less simple than was once supposed. If there 

 were any truth in the notion, that a slimy matter is pro- 



