I.-STSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF AUSTRALIAN FUNGI.
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S Y N O P S I S OF G R O U P S .
I n selecting a system of classification 1 have adopted that which best expresses the present state of our
knowledge as regards the life-histories of the various forms, which after all constitute the ultimate court of
appeal in settling affinity. But unfortuuately there arc numerous cases where the life-history has not been
wrought out, and so certain groups have to be provisionally placed along with those to which they seem to be
most nearly related. Saccardo’s Sylloge Fungorum has been, mainly followed, while Dr. Cooke’s Handbook of
Australian Fungi, G. Massee’s British Fungus-Flora, De Bary’s Fungi, and Brefeld’s works have all been
consulted.
GROUPS OF AUSTRAL IAN FUNGI.
MYCOMYCETES
I .— I I y m e n o m y c e t e s
I I .— G a s t r o m y c e t e s
I I I .— U r e d in e s
I V .— P y r e n o m t c e t e s
V .— D is c o m y c e t e s . . .
V I .— T u b e r o id e s
V I I .— H y p u o m y c e t e s
V I I I .— S p h æ r o p s id e s
I X .— S a c c h a r o m y c e t e s
X .— U s t il a g in e s ...
X I .— P h y c o m y c e t e s
X I I .— M yxomy'C e t e s
Basidiomycetes.
Æcidiomycetes.
Ascomycetes.
Imperfect forms of Ascomycetes ?
Transitional forms.
Transitional to animals.
The systematic sequence of the groups is at prescut a matter of individual opinion, but they are arranged
in the order iu which they will be treated, aud are reduced within the smallest limits consistent with clearness.
Tho two main divisions are Mycomyaetes, in which there arc no sexually produced reproductive bodies, and
Phycomycetes, or those approximating to soa-weeds, in which reproduction is sexual as well as asexual.
Tho Mycomycetes are divided into two chief Basidiomycetes aud Ascomycetes— former producing
naked spores at the ends of largo terminal cells called hasidia, and the latter producing spores iu an ascus or
bag. The Ustilagines are regarded as transition forms to the Phycomycetes. Tho Myxomycètes differ iu important
points from fungi, aud are regarded as more nearly related to animals, but they are conveniently retained here for
the present. The Sehizomycetes or Bacteria also differ from fungi in chlorophyll being sometimes present, aud the
hyphæ or the threads o f the ordinary fungus absent. To this group belong some of the organisms causing disease
in plants, but as the greater part of the forms belong to medicine, I have finally decided to omit them. The
Uredines are doubtful in their affinities, aud they are placed in a class, Æcidiomycetes, between tbe other two until
their position is properly settled.