IMPLICATIONS 205 



be substituted for the natural projectiles, and the "trench mortars" 

 can be repeatedly operated with these artificial projectiles. 



The tensions that are responsible for eversion of the inner cup 

 arise from transformation of glycogen [Errera (1885), Walker 

 and Andersen (1925)] into reducing sugars. Up to the time that 

 the peridium splits open, the radially arranged palisade tissues are 

 filled with glycogen, but it has all been digested by the time dis- 

 charge takes place. In conclusion it may be mentioned that spe- 

 cies of Sphaerobolus are to be regarded as among the most fasci- 

 nating objects of study among fungi. 



Evidence indicates that the peridioles of Nidulariaceae are dis- 

 seminated by rain splash and adhere to near-by objects by means 

 of their glutinous coating, as was noted by Diehl (1941). He 

 found that the lower leaves of camellia bushes beneath which 

 Cyathus pallidus was fruiting on fragments of wood were studded 

 with black, button-shaped peridioles. xMore remarkable, perhaps, 

 is Diehl's (1941) re-examination of specimens of a fungus on 

 camellia leaves collected over 100 years ago and identified as 

 Leptostroma camelliae. This fungus proved to be not a pycnidial 

 form but the peridioles of Cyathus st ere or ens. 



IMPLICATIONS 



The studies that have been made on dissemination of fungus 

 spores are essentially of two types: (1) those that deal with the 

 structural mechanisms involved and with the manner in which 

 these mechanisms function; and (2) those that deal with the 

 vectors or agencies of dissemination. Spore dissemination is of 

 consequence to each particular fungus because the perpetuation 

 of that species requires that spores be dispersed. Perpetuity is in- 

 sured, all other factors being favorable, if spores are brought into 

 contact with new sources of food. - 



A study of spore dissemination becomes meaningful mainly in 

 relation to the occurrence and relative abundance of diseases of 

 plants and animals and in relation to the geographical distribution 

 of the given fungus. The student may even wonder why plant 

 and animal diseases are not more prevalent and why more fungi 

 are not ubiquitous in distribution, when once he appreciates that 

 many species are incredibly profligate in the production of spores. 



