OF SOT’TH AUSTRALIA. 
325 
HETEROBASIDIAE. 
In the Heterobasidiae, the basidia are long^itudinally divided, transversely 
septate or simple and the spores produce sporidiola or secondary spores on ger- 
niination .and do not give rise directly to a mycelium as in the Ilomobasidiae. 
The genera vary consideiably in outvard appearance. In some cases they 
closely resemble members of the Ilydnaceae, Thelephoraceae and Clavariaceao 
and were included in such until a detailed microscopic examination revealed their 
proper position in a systematic class! lieatiion. ^lany of them are more or less 
gelatinous and some are brightly coloured. 
The Auriculariaceae include the Jew ’s Ear Fungus {Aurknilaria anricula- 
Judae), a tough dark -brown flexuose ear-shaped fungus oceuring on old trunks 
in the Eastern States but not yet recorded from South Australia. It is much 
esteemed as a delicacy l)y the Chinese and at one time there was a large export 
trade froju New Zealand in this commodity. A species of Aurioularia occurs on 
rotting trunks lof willow and other exotic trees in onr National Park. Septo- 
'baKidiiim pteruloidcs is a very interesting member of this family, growing as 
tufts of small Idackish processes from galls made by a eoceid on one of our 
species of tea-tree {Lep-toapermum saoparium). 
In the Tremellaceae, we have as a common species the orange-coloured cos- 
mopolitan Tremella mesenterica, forming rather brain-like gelatinous masses on 
fallen logs. Wo liave one or more further species of Tremella, the dingy 
whitish Seismosarca hydrophora forming an effused soft gelatinous mass, and 
some species of the x)ellucid gelatinous genus Exidia. The Ilydnum-like 
Tremellodon gelatinos-um, gelatinous, sessile or substipitate, with a more-or-less 
developed cap showing spires on the lower surface, has not yet been found 
in this State. The species of Hchacina are mostly effused and resemble 
CorticAum in external appearance. 
Our species of Caloceraeeae, though few in number, are many in individuals. 
The little oiainge pendent disc-shaped sid)stipitate Dacrytomyccs miltinus is 
common on fence posts and fallen wood. Hetcrotextus flavins, similar but larger 
is abundant after heavy rains on fences and fallen logs at Mount Lofty. The 
small yellow awl-shai)ed species of Calocera occur as troops on rotting wood. 
In determining our species belonging to these various families, I would like 
1o express mv gratitude to Professor G'. W. Martin of the Department of Botany, 
The State University of Iowa, United States of America. His critical examina- 
tion of specimens has been of the greatest assistance and I am indebted to him 
for various descriptions of genera an<l species and for his expert advice. 
CLASSIFICATORY KEY TO THE HETEROBASIDIAE. 
Basidia longitudinally divided, transversely septate or simple; spores producing 
spoi'iiliola on germination. 
AUEICULARIALES. 
Basidia transversely septate, cylindrical, straight or curved. 
1. Parasites, with or without probasidia Pucx'INIIN'eae. 
COLEOSPORIINEAE. 
USTILAOINEAE. 
(These are not dealt with in the present work.) 
2. Sajprophvtes. 
(a) Ilymenium fully exposed from the first Al'KArrEAKilNEAE. 
{h) Ilymenium enclosed within a peridiiim Ec'c'IIyxineae. 
AURICULAKIINEAE. 
Same characters as suborder Aukac'ueariace.ve. 
