PEZIZALES (OPERCULATES) 211 



nuclei in the antheridium varies from 100 to 200, with a similar 

 variation in the ascogone. Then, when the ascogenous hyphae 

 start to protrude, the average number in the ascogone is 160. 



The opposing theory was proposed bv Claussen (1912), who 

 maintained that the nuclei merely became associated in pairs in 

 the ascogonium and that fusion is delayed until the formation of 

 the primary nucleus of the ascus. This view has a great deal of 

 support, the most striking of which comes from the observations 

 of Schweitzer (1931). He noted that the antheridial nuclei of 

 Ascoboliis strobilinus are smaller than the ascogonial nuclei. 

 They do not fuse in the ascogonium but migrate in pairs, a small 

 one and a large one, into the ascogenous hyphae. 



Dangeard (1907) found that the antheridium did not open 

 into the trichogyne in Fyronema confliienSy and hence he de- 

 duced that this species is apogamous, a conclusion that has been 

 supported by several subsequent investigators. 



Common species of Pezizaceae and Elvellaceae. Members 

 of both these families are essentially cosmopolitan and are always 

 of interest to the student of fungi. Patella sciitellata, occurring 

 on decaying ^\'ood, has bright red disks with a fringe of dark 

 hairs. Peziza vesiculosa occurs in clumps in richly manured gar- 

 dens or on manure piles. Its cups are brown, 2 to 3 in. broad, and 

 are commonly contorted and crimped. Peziza venosa and P, 

 badia are common on the ground in deciduous woods. The hy- 

 menial surface of P. vejiosa is convoluted, Plectania coccinea 

 grows on partly buried sticks. Its funnel-shaped fruit bodies are 

 about 1 in. broad, and its hymenial surface is scarlet. In the 

 spring the stalked clusters of dark cups of Uiimla craterium, 1 

 to 2 in. broad, are common on partly buried oak branches. The 

 base of the stipes and the mycelium from which they arise are 

 coal black. The gyrosely folded hymenia of Morchella and El- 

 vella give them the appearance of sponges. 



LITERATURE CITED 



Claussen", p., "Zur Entwickelungsgeschichte der Ascomyceten, Fyronema 



cojifiiieijs" Z. Botan., 4: 1-63, 1912. 

 Corner, E. J. H., "Studies in rhe morphology of Discomycetes. IV. The 



evolution of the ascocarp," Trans. Brit. My col. Soc, 15: 121-134, 1930. 

 Dangeard, P. A., "L'origine du perithece chez les Ascomycetes," Botaniste, 



10: 1-385, 1907. 



