158 



COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF FUNGI 



must be considered a degeneration stage in our scheme of relationships, 

 like its analogue in the Ustilaginales. This is much simpler as diplontic 

 Endomycetaceae, which might be considered ancestors of S. Ludwigii, 

 are unknown. 



Atichiaceae. — Before we leave the yeasts, we should mention a group 

 which has long puzzled mycologists. It has been placed in the Floridieae, 

 Fucaceae, Lichenes, Saccharomycetaceae, Perisporiaceae, Capnodiaceae, 

 Myriangiaceae, Ascocorticiaceae and Bulgariaceae. Atichia forms 



Fig. 98. — Atichia glomcrulosa. 



1. Thallus. 2 to 4. Propagula. 

 after Neger, 1918.) 



(1 X 80; 2 to 4 X 400; 



gelatinous cushions on leaves and needles, apparently as epiphytes 

 (Fig. 98, 1). These cushions are formed of sprout cells which develop 

 ascospores in the superficial layers. Under favorable conditions these 

 cells develop into a multitude of three-rayed reproductive bodies, called 

 propagula (Fig. 98, 2 to 4), which are disseminated by wind and rain. 

 They develop again to cushions (Hoehnel, 1910; Cotton, 1914; Neger, 

 1918). Perhaps they are highly developed yeasts, adapted to an epi- 

 phytic existence, but one may not entirely discard the concept of a degen- 

 eration of simple Discomycetes. 



