THE GASTROMYCETES. 
Fungi, the larger fungi, are divided into two 
classes, 1st, the Basidiomycetes, which have the 
spores borne free on a basidia ; 2nd, the Ascomy- 
cetes, which have the spores borne in a sack called 
the ascus. In this pamphlet we have to deal only 
with part of the first class. 
The Basidiomycetes can in turn be divided 
into two very natural classes, 1st, the Hymenomy- 
cetes, those that have the spores exposed and free 
from the beginning, or at least from a very early 
state ; 2nd, the Gastromycetes, those that develop 
the c pores in cavities or chambers within the tissue 
of the plant. 
It should not be inferred from the above that 
in order to recognize the Gastromycetes it is neces¬ 
sary to study the nature of the basidia, or to make other minute ana¬ 
tomical examination. As a matter of fact, the merest tyro soon learns 
to recognize on sight the various phalloids, bird-nest fungi, and various 
kinds of “prill balls” constituting the Gastromycetes and they were 
well classified before their anatomical structures were known.* 
a 
Fig. J. 
a—A basidium, bearing spores, 
b— An ascus, containing spores. 
CLASSIFICATION. 
Gastromycetes can be readily divided into four families widely 
differing from each other as to the nature of the mature plants. 
FAM. l.—PHALLOIDEAE. —PHALLOIDS. Plant fleshy, 
enclosed in a gelatinous volva when young. The gleba deliquescing 
and becoming a mucilaginous (generally foetid) mass. 
Phalloids are noted for the foetid odor that they have and for 
their bizarre shapes. They force themselves to the attention of the 
jnost unobserving and are often called such appropriate names as Stink 
Fungus, Stink Horns, Dead Men’s Fingers. Australia is particularly 
rich in these bizarre plants. 
FAM. 2. — NIDULARIACEAE. — NEST FUNGI. Plants 
shaped like little cups, opening at the top, and containing a number 
of little seed-like bodies (peridioles). They look something like little 
birds’ nests and are often called “Birds-nest fungi.” 
FAM. 3.—HYMENOGASTRACEAE.—HYPOGEAL FUNGI. 
Peridium indehiscent; gleba cavities permanent, not resolved into a 
mass of spores ; capillitium absent. 
This family is mostly subterranean like the true tubers or truf¬ 
fles. The Australian species are little known. 
FAM. 4. LYCOPERDACEAE.—PUFF BALLS.—Ripe peri¬ 
dium enclosing a mass of dry spores, often mixed with capillitium. 
Sometimes the gleba walls persist forming peridioles, but in those 
cases the peridioles are filled with a mass of dry powdery spores. 
The largest and most frequent tribe of Gastromycetes and em¬ 
bracing all the families known as “puff balls.” 
* We have issued a pamphlet entitled ‘"The Genera of Gastromycetes” in which the various 
terms employed in the description of these plants are explained. A copy will be mailed on appli¬ 
cation to The Lloyd Library, Cincinnati, Ohio, U. S. A. 
3 
