534 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



are popularly known as "smut" in corn. 

 (Coniomycetes, Fries.) 



4. Family. — Botrylloid-Fungi (Botryacese). Spores 



naked, often septate ; thallus floccose. Bo- 

 trytis is the cause of a disease in silk-worms ; 

 Penicillium appears on books in the form of 

 blue mould. (Hyphomycetes.) 



II. SUB-ORDER. — Spokidious-Fungals (Sporidiiferi). 



Reproduction by spores enclosed in asci (sporidia). 



5. Family. — Follicular-Fungi (Helvellacese). Hy- 



menium distinct, superior, margined ; recep- 

 tacle urceolate or reflexed, inferior ; sporidia 

 generally eight together. Several are escu- 

 lent, as Helvetia, Tuber, Morchella ; Mylitta 

 is eaten in Australia, and a Gyttaria supplies 

 food to the inhabitants of Tierra del Fuego ; 

 the species oiSphoeria grow principally upon 

 caterpillars. (Ascomycetes, Berk.) 

 6 Family. — Vesicular-Fungi (Mucoracese). Spores 

 surrounded by a vesicular veil or sporan- 

 gium ; thallus floccose. Species of Mueor 

 enter into the composition of mildew. (Phy- 

 sornycetes, Berk.) 

 Many fungi are not yet sufficiently understood to 

 enable them to be classified, among which are Ergot 

 of rye, Spermoedia clavus of Fries, or Ergotoetia 

 abortifaciens of Queckett ; also Mycoderma, found 

 in flour, yeast, &c, and the vegetable crusts appear- 

 ing in some skin-diseases in man, as in Mentagra, 

 and Tinea favosa. 





