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G;! and forming a large plasmodiocarp, enclosed in a well-defined,
thick, common cortex, enclosing near the outer side numerous
cell-like masses of protoplasm; capillitium originating at
numerous points in the inner portion of the cortex, forming an
irregular, loose net with numerous free ends, threads ornamented
with warts or raised hands forming irregularly arranged rings,
spirals, or anastomosing to form a network; spores globose.
Lycogala, Mich., Rost., Mon., p. 285; Cooke, Myx. Brit.,
p. 74; Saco., Syll, v., 7, pt. I., p. 436.
Lycoperdon, Bux., p. 203.
Dermodium, Rost., Mon., p. 284; Saco., Syll, p. 434; Cke.,
Myx., p. 74.
The species resemble those of Beticularia in their large size,
forming hemispherical or irregularly elongated masses up to
four inches in diameter. The stout cortex covering the interwoven
mass of aethalioid sporangia presents a complicated
structure. In L. epidendron, the most highly evolved species,
the cortex contains towards the outside numerous irregularly-
shaped coloured masses of protoplasm of various sizes, each
surrounded by a special wall; these are sometimes so numerous
as to present the appearance of closely aggregated polygonal
cells when seen in section. The tubes of the capillitium originate
in the thick cortex from the cells of protoplasm ju st described,
and frequently combine to form an irregular reticulation in the
substance of the cortex; in this position the tubes are very
thick, reaching to 20 g in diameter, and consist, as it were, of
two tubes, one enclosed within the other; the outer tube, the
wall enclosing the protoplasm, has very thick, perfectly smooth,
colourless walls, and disappears at the point where the capillitium
breaks through the walls to enter the mass of aethalia
forming the plasmodiocarp. The inner tube has a very thin,
faintly-tinged wall furnished with intermixed warts and raised
hands anastomosing to form an irregular network; the inner
tube is completely surrounded by the outer at its apex, until
the whole structure has grown beyond the inner surface of the
cortex, when the inner tube pushes through the apex of the
outer smooth tube and alone forms the capillitium. The outer
common cortex cannot in the present instance be considered
as excretory, and solely for protective purposes,^ but must be
considered as a living portion of the organism giving origin to
the complex capillitium. the tubes of which appear to increase
in leno-th by apical growth. The tubes of the oapilhtmm that
enter the aethalia collapse before the spores are mature, and
consequently exercise no dispersive function The scheme of
classification adopted in the present work, I much regret
say, is founded mostly on characters presented by mature forms
hence the elaborate ornamention of the capillitium tubes places
the present genus in the sub-family Gcdotnchcac; wheieas, i
the capillitium is a continuation of the cortex, or r f tte r
development directly from the ; cortex, Pemtmcheae would be its
proper position.
Distrib. Cosmopolitan. Species 6.
lycogala epidendrum, Rost. (figs. 121, 122).
Plasmodiocarp sub-globose, gregarious or rarely solitary, '5 - 2
cm. diameter, surface minutely warted, ^ariahle m colour rose-
red dlnuy vermilion, or brownish re d ; threads of capillitium
almost colourless, 8 - 1 2 g thiclc. springing from the cortex,
becoming irregularly branched with various free slightly m-
crassated tips, now and then anastomosing laterally, iumished
with warts, short bands, irregular rings or spirals or with the
raised bands anastomosing to form an irregular network;
frequently all the above modifications may he seen on the
same tube, wall thin and soon collapsing; spore-mass variable
in colour, dingy purple, flesh-colour, greyish-yellow, or sometimes
with a dingy green tinge, spores globose, mmutcly but
distinctly warted, d-—6 g diameter. , « l o P V
Lycogcda epidendrum, Rost., Mon., 85, figs. 1, 7 - 1 2 ;
Myx\ i n t . , 75, figs. 1, 7 - 1 2 ; Sacc., Syll., vol vii.. pt. I ,
n 1484; Raunk., Myx. Dan., p. 62; Zopf, p. 168. _
Lycogala affine, Berk, and Br., Ceylon Fung, (type in Herb.
Berk., Kew, n. 10702).
Lycogala atropurpureum, B. and Br., Ceylon Fung., n.
(typo in Herb. Berk., Kew, n. 10703).