322 ON THE CONVERSION OF ASCI INTO SPORES. 
organs than any totally distinct productions ; a view, indeed, which is 
not at variance with the possibility of the transformed organs being an 
indication of sexual functions, if we may be allowed to form any in- 
ference from known analogies in the animal world, Dr. Hooker, when 
examining the fruit of Zaminarie, on his return from the Antarctic 
expedition, felt convinced of the possibility of the transformation of an 
ascus into a spore ; a view entertained long since by Fries, and which 
is certainly supported by those instances in Fungi and Lichens where 
a single spore only is developed in an aseus. The difference in the 
analysis of the genus Spherophoron, as given by Dr. Montagne in the 
‘Annales des Sciences Naturelles? and by Dr. Hooker in the * An- 
tarctic Flora,’ is probably due to a similar change; the former exhi- 
biting true asci containing sporidia, the latter moniliform threads 
breaking up into spores. In earlier times the analysis of one would 
have been pronounced erroneous, but the present age, with deeper 
knowledge of the apparent anomalies exhibited by nature, and, conse- 
quently, a greater measure of diffidence, regards such discrepancies as 
calls to further investigation, and as the possibly available keys for 
the solution of difficulties which have been hitherto insurmountable. 
Explanation of the Figures. 
Tas, IX. 
1. Tympanis saligna, producing both sporidiferous asci and naked 
spores from the same hymenium :—highly magnified. 
2. Spheria inquinans and Stilbospora macrosperma growing together on 
the same matrix, and having a common orifice for the emission of 
their sporidia and spores :—slightly magnified. 
a. a. a. Spheria inquinans. b. b. Stilbospora macrosperma. 
3. The same :—;more highly magnified. 
4. Portion of the perithecium of Spheria inquinans, producing asci 
_ internally and naked spores externally. 
9. Normal form of spores in Stilbospora macrosperma. 
10. Ditto in Spheria inquinans. 
peek bets X, 
5. Section showing the stroma of Stildospora macrosperma beneath the 
. cuticle with its spores :—slightly magnified. ; 
6. Part of the same, more highly magnified, exhibiting the sporophores 
with their spores and the sheaths at the base of the latter. | 
