IO
Or d er II. G A ST E R OM Y C E T E S
Hymenium concealed within a peridium until the spores are
mature (fig. 9). Families V II-X I
4i'
Fig. Q. Basidia and spores of Sclerodemna v idgare Fr.
B, basidia ; s p , spores ; S T , sterigmata. X 400.
VII. P halloidaceæ. Pileus and stem or latticed receptacle at first
enclosed m a globular peridium with a gelatinous stratum
Peridium at length opening at the apex and the gleba
extended on a stem or lattice. Genera 107-110
Lycoperdaceæ. Peridium globular, with a capillitium- at
length opening for the dispersion of the spores.
Genera 111-116
SCLERODERMACEÆ. Peridium globose, thick, without a
capillitium, dehiscing irregularly. Genera 117-118
X. N idulariaceiîî. Peridium bell- or cup-shaped, containing
compressed or globose peridiola which become free at
maturity. Genera 119-122
X I . H ymenogastraceæ. Subterranean, peridium without a capil-
htium, mdehiscent. Genera 123-128
VIII
IX
O r d e r I. H YM E N OM Y C E T E S
Fam. I. AGARICACEÆ
Hymenium spread over the surface of radiating gills, the axis a
stem, rarely a point, usually central, sometimes lateral. In some
forms the young fungus is entirely enclosed in a primary or universal
veil (fig. lo B). During growth, as the stem elongates, the veil is
ruptured, the lower portion called the volva (Vo.) remaining as a
sheath round the base of the stem, while the upper portion, still
attached to the pileus, is torn into fragments as the latter
expands (u.v.). In some species a secondary or partial veil is also
present in the earlier stages, spreading from the upper part of the
stem to the edge of the pileus. This veil is finally ruptured, and
partly persists as a ring or annulus (A), encircling the stem.^ Contains
two-thirds of the whole Basidiomycetes. Species 1—1455
K ey to th e Ge nera.
In using the key for the determination of the genus the following
characters must be ascertained :—i. Colour of the spores. 2.^ Nature
of the substance, whether fleshy, putrescent, deliquescent or coriaceous.
3. Whether the hymenophore is distinct from the stem, or confluent
and homogeneous with it. 4. Nature of the pileus, whether dry,
viscid, silky, etc. 5. Nature of the stem, whether simple, annulate
or volvate, and whether it is homogeneous with the pileus, or
heterogeneous with a cartilaginous bark. 6. Nature of the gills and
their attachment to the stem.
I. Spores white.
A. Plant fleshy, more or less firm, not deliquescent or
coriaceous.
Hymenophore distinct from the fleshy stem.
Pileus bearing warts or patches free from the cuticle.
Stem volvate and annulate.................................... i
Stem volvate.............................................................. ^
Pileus pulverulent, smooth or scaly; scales, when
present, concrete with the cuticle.
Stem annulate ......................................................... 3
Stem simple .............................................................. 4
Hymenophore confluent and homogeneous with the
fleshy stem.
Stem without cartilaginous bark.
Stem central (some of the plants under 50 are
stemless).
Annulate .......................................... 5
A m a n i t a .
A m a n i t o p s i s .
L e p io t a .
H ia t u l a .
A r m i l l a r ia .