266 PLANT STUDIES 
From the hyphal threads composing the mycelium verti- 
cal ascending branches arise, which are set apart to produce 
the asexual spores, which are scattered and produce new 
mycelia. These branches are called ascending hyphce or 
sporophores, meaning " spore bearers." 
Sometimes, especially in the case of parasites, special 
descending branches are formed, which penetrate the sub- 
stratum or host and absorb the food material. These spe- 
cial absorbing branches are called haustoria, meaning " ab- 
sorbers." 
Such a mycelial body, with its sporophores, and perhaps 
haustoria, lies either upon or within a dead substratum in 
the case of saprophytes, or upon or within a living plant or 
animal in the case of parasites. 
179. The subdivisions. The classification of Fungi is in 
confusion on account of lack of knowledge. They are so 
much modified by their peculiar life habits that they have 
lost or disguised the structures which prove most helpful in 
classification among the Algae. Four groups will be pre- 
sented, often made to include all the Fungi, but doubtless 
they are insufficient and more or less unnatural. 
The constant termination of the group names is mycetes, 
a Greek word meaning " fungi." The prefix in each case is 
intended to indicate some important character of the group. 
The names of the four groups to be presented are as follows : 
(1) Pliycomycetes ("Alga-Fungi"), referring to the fact 
that the forms plainly resemble the Algae ; (2) Ascomycetes 
("Ascus-Fungi"); (3) ^cidiomycetes ("^Ecidium-Fungi ") ; 
(4) Basidiomycetes (" Basidium-Fungi "). Just what the 
prefixes ascus, cecidium, and lasidium mean will be ex- 
plained in connection with the groups. The last three 
groups are often associated together under the name My- 
comycetes, meaning " Fungus-Fungi," to distinguish them 
from the Phycomycetes, or " Alga-Fungi," referring to the 
fact that they do not resemble the Algae, and are only like 
themselves. 
