I -'6 FLOWERLESS PLANTS 



It is very plain at the outset tliat there is no 

 green colouring matter in the tissue of fungi ; 

 thus they are unable to make use of inorganic 

 matter in the soil and air. This statement 

 must not be taken as absolutely final, how- 

 ever, for recent investigations have shown that 

 some species of fungus can absorb mineral 

 salts. Generally speaking, however, we must 

 regard the fungi as neeamg the same prepared 

 food as animals ; so that, although they are 

 plants, they cannot live independently, having 

 none of those wonderful chlorophyll factories 

 which are present in the forms of green vegeta- 

 tion. Hence we shall always find fungi hving 

 on something. Many species, as will be ex- 

 plained, are positively parasitic upon living 

 plants ; others thrive upon dead wood or rot- 

 ting leaves, whilst again there are kinds which 

 find a home upon all sorts of decaying matter. 

 \'\'ith so large a group of plants it will only be 

 possible to indicate the leading characteristics, 

 and there is much in this fascinating tale which 

 will remain untold. 



It \dU be of interest briefly to outhne the 

 manner in which the fungus originates. This, 

 of course, varies a good deal in the different 



