MorpJiology. ^ 



o 



as clamp-conjiections , originates as follows, — in a trans- 

 versely septate hyplia a small brancli originates just 

 below a septum, grows out for some distance, tlien 

 bends until its tip conies in contact with the wall of 

 the hypha just above the septum below which it 

 sprung', the walls become absorbed at the point of 

 contact, the result being that the loop formed by the 

 branch has opened a free communication between the 

 cavities of the two cells of the hypha separated by the 

 septum. Clamp-connections are highly characteristic 

 of the group of fungi known as the Basidiomycetes, 

 but are also met with in at least one genus belonging 

 to the Ilyphomycetes. The object of this arrange- 

 ment is not known, but Professor Marshall Ward has 

 described a case ^ where the hyphae form a dense, 

 irregular network due to the amalgamation of 

 originally distinct branches, and has demonstrated 

 the remarkable fact that this blending is not confined 

 to those points where two hyphse happen to come in 

 contact in the ordinary course of growth, but that 

 distinct branches are actually drawn out of their 

 original course through nearly a right angle by 

 another branch for the purpose of effecting a union, 

 and consequently open communication between the 

 two branches. This attraction is considered by the 

 author to be due to the presence of a ferment- 

 substance present in the cells, and as to the object, it 

 is suggested that it possibly serves to nourish the 

 whole more equably, or to effect the equal distribution 

 of certain substances produced in the cell-contents. 

 The first hyph^e produced on the germination of the 



^ A lily disease, Ann. Bot. vol. ii. pp. 319-378. 

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