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cedure both unscientific and impracticable. This idea is not 
original with me, nor do I stand as its only advocate. Many of 
the most recent scientific writers, notably Reinke, strongly up- 
hold this view. I shall briefly consider lichens from the stand- 
points of morphology and physiology to show that they can only 
be treated as autonomous structures having a phylogeny of their 
own. I shall not consider it worth while to enter into word quib- 
bling as to the meaning of “autoaomy.” If such were my desire 
I might well deduce good arguments to show that angiosperms 
are not autonomons, that they are simply modified gymnosperms, 
that gymnosperms are modified pteridophytes, pteridophytes 
modified mosses, etc., finally having it reduced to a primal cell; 
this cell could still be reduced to organic matter, and that to in- 
organic matter, etc. I shall consider as autonomous any compre- 
hensive group of organisms having morphological and physiologi- 
cal characteristics differing from those of any other comprehensive 
group of organisms ; meaning by comprehensive group any col- 
lection of allied individuals comprising natural species, genera and 
families. I will first show why lichens cannot be classed as fungi. 
The method of reproduction in lichens is wholly different from 
that of fungi. It is true that lichen spores have a strong morpho- 
logical resemblance to those of their probable homologues among 
the fungi. Functionally they differ widely. They cannot be con- 
sidered specific reproductive organs of lichens as they formerly 
were of fungi, because they are not capable of developing into a 
complete mature lichen or- even a fungus. They will indeed de- 
velop a mycelial network which will however not produce spores 
unless associated with its symbiotic alga. They can only be 
looked upon as degenerate reproductive organs of their fungal an- 
cestors. This degeneracy is the more marked as we ascend the - 
scale of lichen development. Taking one of the lower types, as 
exemplified in Pyrenula, we find spore organs having almost typical, 
fungal characters; that is, apothecia are prominent, paraphyses 
distinct and numerous, spore wall rather thick and colored, spores 
distinctly septate. These are the usual characters of fungal spore 
Organs. Considering some of the higher types as exemplified in 
Parmelia and Cladonia, we find apothecia few or wholly wanting ; 
when apothecia are present the asci are few in number, spore wall 
