6 ; 
over their free surfaces, the Tuberaceae which are underground forms 
having their Asci only within, and the Pyrenomycetes with groups 
of Asci contained in little pits. The greater number of the Basidio- 
mycetes bear four spores at the extremity of each of their basidia. 
In the Thelephoreae, Clavarieae, H^denae, Polyporeae, and Agari- 
cineae, classed together as Hymenomycetes, the basidia are found 
on the free surface, but in the Gasteromycetes, which include the 
Phalloideae, Nidularieae and Lycoperdeae, the basidia are within. 
The Auricularieae have basidia which are transversely divided, 
while in the Tremellineae the divisions are longitudinal. 
The principal sub-divisions of the above main classes will now be 
considered, and the indications given for the recognition of the 
principal genera. It will be remembered that a genus is a class, 
while a species is the name of an individual. The genus Agaricus is 
very large and is sub-divided into many sub-genera. 
The Truffles (Tuberaceae) form firm egg-like masses, usually of a 
dark colour, found beneath the soil, particularly in woods. Most 
Truffles have an aromatic smell and taste, and several species are 
used as flavouring agents. They are searched for by the aid of 
pigs and dogs which detect them by their odour beneath the soil. 
Most of the edible varieties come from France and Italy. 
Apart from the manner in which their spores are borne, which is 
only to be determined with the microscope, the gelatinous character 
of the Tremellas (Tremellaceae) is their most characteristic feature. 
Some of the Cup Fungi (Discomycetes), notably Bulgaria (Page 63, 
First Series), are also gelatinous, but the regular cup-like shape of 
the fructifications of these latter will prevent any error occurring. Of 
the Tremellas, Tremellodon (Page 55), is recognised by the tooth- 
lilce projections on its lower surface. Calocera (Page 56), is of a 
branched form like a little tree, and may easily be mistaken for a 
Stag’s-horn Fungus (Clavaria) unless its gelatinous character be very 
carefully noted. Tremella or Coryne (Page 59, First Series), takes 
the form of a soft flattened or irregular mass often brightly coloured. 
Phlebia vaga (Page 43), one of the Hydneae, might very easily be 
mistaken for a Tremella. 
The Jew’s Ears (Auricularieae) are also gelatinous. The com- 
mon Jew’s Ear (Auricularia sambucinia, Page 54) is of a dark brown 
colour and of an irregular cup-like shape, veined and folded within. 
It is very common on the bark of old elder trees, and is occasionally 
seen on elms. It becomes shrivelled up, hard and dry when the 
weather is fine, reviving again completely when it rains. 
The Toadstools Proper (Agaricinae) form a very large class. 
They are usually classified according to the colour of their spores, 
which is generally similar to that of the gills on which they are 
borne, but not invariably so. Accordingly, to determine accurately 
the colour of the spores, it will be necessary to break off the stalk 
from a mature specimen, and leave the toadstool cap gills downward 
on a piece of white or printed paper for at least 12 hours. In most 
cases the colour of the spores may be taken as similar to that of the 
gills of a mature species, but a few toadstools with coloured gills 
bear white spores. 
