THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



the somewhat anomalous species of which we have just 

 been speaking. A similar mode of origin of spores 

 is, in fact, very common even in highly organized 

 Fungi, and also in very many Lichens. Thus it pre- 

 vails universally throughout the family of ascomycetous 



FIG. 8. 



Development of Spores in one of the Ascomycetous Fungi 

 (Perisporium vulgare). (Corda.) 



a, &, c. Commencing differentiation of homogeneous matter within asci. 

 d, e, f. Apparent resolution of this into distinct rounded spores. 

 g. Rupture of ascus, and exit not of separate spores, but of sets of four, 

 each contained within a delicate theca. 



Fungi 1 , and also amongst all the ascigerous Lichens: 



1 The Rev. M. J. Berkeley, our leading cryptogamic botanist, says : 

 ' There is another point of immense importance, which the cryptogamic 

 observer has in a peculiar degree the power of studying successfully. 

 Questions often arise as to the point whether cellular structure can 



