FUNGI. 91 



which is interrupted by the formation of the chlamydospores, 

 degenerates more and more. Among certain Ustilaginere the 

 chlamydospores (brand-spores) no longer germinate with the pro- 

 duction of fructifications. In the Uredinacea?, only one of the three 

 chlamydospore-forms has the property of producing fructifications 

 on germination; the other forms only germinate vegetatively, like 

 ordinary spores, and in the same manner as the chlamydospores 

 of the Autobasidiornycetes. In the Hemibasidii, and the Uredin- 

 acea?, in Protomyces, the chlamydospores are the chief means of 

 reproduction. They are found also among the Ascomycetes. 



The sporangia and the conidia of the Fungi have their common 

 origin in the sporangia of the Phycomycetes. The asci (and 

 the Ascomycetes which are characterised by these bodies) are 

 descended from the sporangia-forming, lower Fungi ; the basidia 

 (and the Basidiornycetes) from those which bear conidia. The 

 sporangia of the Phycomycetes are the primitive form and the start- 

 ing point for all the reproductive forms of the Fungi. The chlamy- 

 dospores appear besides in all classes of Fungi as supplementary 

 forms of reproduction, and are of no importance in determining 

 relationships. Although the expression "fruit" must essentially 

 be applied to true Phanerogams, yet, through usage, the term 

 " fruit- forms " is employed to designate the forms or means of 

 reproduction of Fungi, and the organs of reproduction are known 

 as organs of fructification, the sporangiophores and conidiophores 

 as fruit -bearers (carpopliores), and the sporangiocarps, conidiocarps, 

 and basidiocarps as "fruit-bodies." 



The majority of Fungi have more than one method of reproduction, often on 

 various hosts (Uredinaceae). Species with one, two, or more than two methods of 

 reproduction are spoken of as having monomorphic, dimorphic, or pleomorphic 

 fructification. Monomorphic, e.g. the Tuberaceas ; dimorphic, Mttcor, Pipto- 

 cepJialis, Saprolegniacea?, Penicillium crustaceum ; pleomorphic, Pucciiriu 

 graminis, Capnodium salicinum (in the last species there are five methods of 

 reproduction : yeast-like conidia, free conidiophores, conidiocarps with small 

 and large conidia, and ascocarps). 



The liberation and distribution of the spores and 

 conidia. The spores and conidia, on account of their small size 

 and lightness, are spread far and wide by currents in the air, but 

 in addition to this method, insects and other animals frequently 

 assist in disseminating them. The liberation of the conidia is 

 occasionally effected by the complete shrinking away of the 

 conidiophore, but more frequently by abstriction from the conidio- 

 phores, either by their gradually tapering to a point, or by the 



