152 THE ASCOMVCETES 



Myriangiales, which are stromatic but some of ^\•hich have asci 

 borne at different levels, and others asci all borne at the same 

 level; and the Hemisphaeriales, Laboulbeniales, and Tuberales, 

 each of which contains a miscellaneous aggregation. The student 

 eventually comes to recognize ^\■hether his unknown species oc- 

 curs in these orders and meantime becomes further convinced 

 that present-day keys are not necessarily based on natural affini- 

 ties. 



Proper classification of Ascomycetes would seem to require 

 that more detailed research be performed on the origin and de- 

 velopmental anatomy of ascocarps and the origin of stromatic 

 locules, paraphyses, and periphyses. It may well be that more 

 significance should be attached to whether the paraphyses {a) 

 arise from the floor of the locule and remain free above, (b) arise 

 from the ceiling of the locule and remain pendant, or (c) are 

 attached at each end. 



Plectomycetes 



EiiTotiales 



This group includes the Order Eurotiales, also called the Asper- 

 gillales and Plectascales, an assemblage of approximately 800 

 species. They are arranged in 5 or more families, including the 

 Gymnoascaceae, Aspergillaceae, Onygenaceae, Elaphomyceta- 

 ceae, and Terfeziaceae. 



Gymnoascaceae 



The Gymnoascaceae are primitive fungi, many of which grow 

 saprophytically on dung, feathers, dead grass, puparia of moths, 

 leather, paper, and garbage. Others are important pathogens of 

 men and animals, if the dermatophytes, or Trichophytoneae, are 

 imperfect forms of Gymnoascaceae, as some mycologists be- 

 lieve. Evidence that Achorion gypseum, causing favus, pos- 

 sesses a Gymnoascus stage was presented by Nannizzi (1927). 

 These findings, however, remain unconfirmed. Eidajitella spinosa 

 is associated with skin lesions in dogs. Cteno77jyces serratiis oc- 

 curs on decaying chicken feathers. Its spiral hyphae, aleuro- 



