FUNGI. 



269 



lowing observations.^ " By means of Sclerotia certain 

 fungi, which would probably perish during drought 

 or severe frost, are preserved alive through inclement 

 seasons. The spawn naturally compacts itself into 

 these little hard masses, and falls to the ground ; it 

 there remains, like a seed, uninjured by continued 



Fig. ^$. — Sclcrotinia schrotiorjuii, A, b, c, d, cups, nat. size; E, asci and sporldia 

 magnified {fiardener s Chronicle), 



dryness or coldness, whereas the vitality of un- 

 compacted spawn would be destroyed under similar 

 conditions in a few hours. Sclerotia vary in their 

 period of hibernation, from a few days to a year or 

 more : they are somewhat erratic as to the required 

 amount of rest ; favourable circumstances will hasten 

 termination, whilst unfavourable ones will retard 



' W. G. Smith, "Diseases of Field and Garden Crops, 

 (1884). 



p. 19. 



