PART II 
Order BASIDIOMYCETES 
Spores borne on basidia in definite numbers, usually four. 
Sub-order GASTEROMYCETES 
Hymenium contained within a continuous membrane or 
peridium until the spores are mature. 
KEY TO THE FAMILIES 
A. Subterranean 
I. HYMENOGASTRACEJE: (the False Truffles).—Fleshy, more or 
less spherical or nodular fungi ; the interior (gleba) not break¬ 
ing up and becoming powdery; outer envelope decaying at 
maturity, not rupturing to liberate the spores. 
B. Above Ground from the First or at Maturity 
II. SCLERODERMACEiE (the Earth-balls).—Spherical, with a thick 
skin or peridium ; rupturing irregularly ; the interior not break¬ 
ing up and becoming powdery. Capillitium threads absent or 
scanty. 
III. NIDULARIACEiE (the Birds’-nest Fungi).—Small, more or less 
cup-shaped at maturity, containing several (rarely one) lenticular 
or subglobose bodies (sporangiola) enclosing the spores. 
IV. LYCOPERDACEiE (the Puff-balls and Earth-stars).—Peridium 
thin, usually consisting of two layers. Gleba cavernous at first, 
resolving itself into a powdery mass of spores and capillitium 
threads at maturity. 
V. PHALLOIDACEiE (the Stinkhorns).—Peridium with a central 
gelatinous layer. Spores immersed in a highly fetid gluten. 
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