232 M. C. Montagne's OrganoyrapJdc and Physiologic 



cium. The paraphyses, and even the asci, are wanting in many- 

 genera. Though sometimes linear, they are generally more or less 

 clavate. In some species of Hypocrea the tips are surmounted by a 

 cup-shaped appendage, which Corda* and myself indicated at the 

 same time, without being able to give any account of its functions. 

 They are generally transparent, indehiscent, and according to Mr. 

 Berkeley {On exist, of a second membrane in the asci of Fungi) composed 

 of two membranes at first united, but at a later period separate, and 

 remaining so till the maturity of the sporidia. Asci are wanting in 

 a great number of species. In some genera this defect is normal. 

 But in some species belonging to genera where they are usually 

 found, they are absorbed, as may be expected by persons versed in 

 vegetable physiology, but even then the sporidia are frequently still 

 found disposed in rows in the jelly of the nucleus. (Corda, /. c. t. 9. 

 f. 122. 5, 6.) These remarks are equally applicable to the paraphy- 

 ses. The Perisporiaceous Pyrenomycetes also have not normal asci ; 

 they are represented b}'^ hyaline subglobose sacs. Generally these 

 organs, which are styled peridiola, are pyriform and contain sporidia. 

 Asci and peridiola are clearly the same organ, and differ only in form 

 and position. Fries f remarks that the form of the asci varies con- 

 siderably at different ages of the same species, and consequently we 

 must be very circumspect in resting on them as distinctive of species. 

 Sporidia occur of every form between linear and spherical. They 

 are simple, bi- or pluri-locular as in Verrucarice ; but in some species 

 the septa are soon absorbed. They often contain sporidiola which 

 are usually globose. The simple sporidia and sporidiola have the 

 same organization as the spores of fungi of the preceding families. 

 In Sporocadus, Corda, which is the same as Diplodia, Fr., the bilo- 

 cular X and naked sporidia are fixed in the bottom of the cell by a 

 short peduncle, which appears again in Schizothecium, Corda. In 

 Sphceronema they escape with the jelly of the nucleus and form a 

 little globule, which remains for a long time fixed at the tip of the 

 perithecium. In Ncemaspora and Cytispora they ooze out in the 

 form of flat or cylindric tendrils. Their colour is black or dingy 

 (e. g. Hypoxylon) or white. They are opake or pellucid, and are 

 sometimes surrounded when young by a mucilaginous coat, which 

 is occasionally tolerably thick. I have observed this peculiarity in 

 my S. pseudo-bbmbarda, and Mr. Berkeley in S. pedunculata, Dicks. 

 Not only are the sporidia arranged in the asci in one or more rows, 

 but they are sometimes so connected, as even after dispersion to ex- 

 hibit the form of short necklaces. This mode of arrangement, which 



* Corda, Ic. Fung. iv. tab. 9. f. 129. 13 i.— Mont., Ann. Sc. Nat., ii. ser. 

 t. xiii. t, 6. fig. 2, 5. 



f A little experience however will almost prevent the possibility of error. 

 No experienced mycologist will be likely either to describe immature asci 

 and sporidia as distinctive, or, on the other hand, be deceived by the absorp- 

 tion of the asci or of the sporidia themselves while the sporidiola remain. — 

 M.J.B. 



J In some of Corda's Sporocadizz: Hendersonia, Berk., the sporidia are 

 pluri-locular. — M. J. B. 



