INTBOBUCTION TO CEYPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 



851 



in the lower United States, as does Oauloglossum. Secotium 

 is found as far south as New Zealand, a minute species of 

 which genus occurs in the south of France. Two or three 

 species are found in the south of Africa. They do not seem, 

 however, to be common anywhere, except, perhaps, as regards 

 the genus Secotium, which produces numerous individuals in 

 Australia. 



VI. Hymenomycetes, Fr. 



Mycelium floccose, giving rise at once to a distinct hyme- 

 nium, or producing a variously shaped naked or volvate recep- 

 tacle, even, or bearing on its upper or under surface various 

 folds, plates, prickles, &c., clothed with fertile hymenial cells. 



E-i 

 W 

 O 



a 



o 



^ 'Pt • 



1 83 a 



■^ (H Sh 



a g=S 



y^ CD 

 •s +=> -f^ 



w 



O) 



TremeUini. — Lobed, convolute, or disciform, 

 gelatinous ; fertile threads not com- 

 pacted into a true hymenium. 



Clavariei. — Clavate or variously branched, rarely 

 lobed or gelatinous. 



Auricularini. — Fructifying surface even, without 

 folds, tubes, prickles, &c. 



Hydnei. — Fructifying surface clothed with 

 prickles. 



Polyporei. — Fructifying surface porose or tubu- 

 lar. 



Agaricini. — Fructifying surface lamellose. 



379. The genus Montagnites has prepared us for that pecu- 

 liar expansion of the hymenium which is the main feature of 

 this great order. It is true there are species in which this is 

 effected almost in the same way as in Lycoperdon or Hyme- 

 nogaster ; but, combining this character with the free develop- 

 ment, except in a very few instances, and those in a mere state 

 of transition, there is little difficulty in assigning each to its 

 proper place. Analogous forms, indeed, occur to those in other 

 orders ; but an inspection of the fruit wUl at once suffice to dis- 

 tinonish them. One of the most striking instances is the 

 external similarity of Clavaria nigrita, at least in a dry state, 

 to Geoglossum. 



