ASCOMTCETES. 



115 



generally club-like or spherical, the number of spores 8 (in some 

 2, 4, 16 or more), see Figs. 103, 105, 108, 110, 113, 116, 120, 121, 

 123, 129. 



In the lowest forms, the EXOASCI, the ascus springs directly from 

 the mycelium without the formation of a fruit-body (i.e. asco- 

 carp). In the higher forms, which contain many species, the 

 CABPOASCI, the asci are united and form ascocarps which may be 

 more or less enclosed (angiocarpic, hemiangiocarpic, and probably 

 gymnocarpic). 



FIG. 103. Endogenous formation of spores in Peziza confluent. In the youngest asci 

 there is only one nucleus (b, e) ; this divides into two (/) ; and the division is repeated so 

 that there are 4 nuclei in c and 8 in g. These surround themselves with protoplasm and a 

 cell-wall (h, i)- The protoplasm of the mother-cell is not entirely used up. 



The hyphfe of the Mycelium in some remain free, in others 

 they are felted together and form thick strands or flat, cushion-like 

 bodies (compare in particular the stromata of the Pyrenomycetes). 

 Some species form sclerotia (Figs. 116, 128). 



Asexual reproduction by means of conidia is known in many 

 species as the principal means of reproduction, and the one 

 \vhich affords the most rapid means of distribution. The conidia 

 may be produced on conidiophores (Fig. 109), in conidial-layers 

 (Fig. 122), and often in conidiocarps (pycnidia, Figs. 120 d, e ; 



