ndicular basidia, the apex of
the latter bearing two to six (usually four) basidiospores, or the
basidiospores borne laterally; in many cases cystidia intermingled with
the basidia. Hymenium either free at the beginning, or enclosed either
permanently or temporarily in a more or less perfect peridium or veil.
Basidiospores continuous or rarely septate, globose, obovoid,
ellipsoidal to oblong, smooth or roughened, hyaline or colored, borne
singly at the apex of sterigmata.

Order _Gasteromycetes_. Plants membranaceous, leathery or fleshy,
furnished with a peridium and gleba, the latter being sometimes
supported on a receptacle. Hymenium on the surface of the gleba which is
enclosed within the peridium up to the maturity of the spores or longer;
spores continuous, sphaeroid or ellipsoid, hyaline or colored.
Puff-balls, etc.

Order _Hymenomycetes_. Hymenium, at the beginning, borne on the free
outer surface of the compound sporophore, or if at first enclosed by a
pseudo-peridium or veil it soon becomes exposed before the maturity of
the spores; mushrooms, etc.

HYMENOMYCETES.

Analytical Key of the Families.

Plants not gelatinous; basidia continuous. 1

Plants gelatinous or sub-gelatinous,
basidia forked, or divided longitudinally
or transversely. 4

=1=--Hymenium uneven, i. e., in the form of
radiating plates, or folds; or a
honey-combed surface, or reticulate,
warty, spiny, etc. 2

Hymenium smooth (not as in B, though it may
be convolute and irregular, or ribbed, or
veined). 3

=2=--Hymenium usually on the under side,
in the form of radiating plates, or strong
folds. The genus Phlebia in the Hydnaceae
has the hymenium on smooth, somewhat
radiating veins which are interrupted and
irregular. One exotic genus has the
hymenium on numerous irregular obtuse
lobes (Rhacophyllus). =Agaricaceae.= 17

Hymenium usually below (or on the outer
surface when the plant is spread over the
substratum), honey-combed, porous, tubulose,
or reticulate; in one genus with short,
concentric plates. =Polyporaceae.= 171

Hymenium usually below (or on the outer
surface when the plant is spread over the
substra