172 



COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF FUNGI 



many authors a member of the Gymnoascaceae. The other genera of the 

 Asperigillaceae may be divided into three radiating lines whose represent- 

 atives will be discussed as the Monascus- Magnusia, the Thielavia, and 

 the Aspergillus-Penicillium groups. 



Monascus has been well investigated in two species, M. purpureus 

 and M. Barkeri. Both were originally isolated from red Chinese rice 

 but have since been found in silage and preserves (Buchanan, 1910; C. E. 

 Lewis, 1910). As far as may be culled from conflicting accounts, (e.g., 

 Barker, 1903; Ikeno, 1903; Kuyper, 1905; Olive, 1905; Dangeard, 1907; 

 Schikorra, 1909) the development is probably as follows: the mycelium 

 consists of regularly branched hyphae which cut off singly, or basipetally 

 in chains, spherical or pyriform conidia (Fig. 107, 1 C). Both the 

 hyphal cells and conidia are multinucleate. 



When the fructification develops, a four- to eight-nucleate terminal 

 cell is abjointed and remains stationary in its development, becoming the 

 antheridium. Directly under the septum, the ascogonial mother cell is 



Fig. 107. — Monascus purpureus. Development of copulation branches. C. conidium. 

 CI, 2 X 420; 3 X 725; 4, 5 X 835; after Schikorra, 1909.) 



abjointed and coils helically about the antheridium. It is further divided 

 into a three- to four-nucleate terminal cell, the trichogyne, and a four- to 

 six-nucleate subterminal cell, the ascogonium. The nuclei of the tricho- 

 gyne subsequently degenerate. Usually the antheridium forms a papilla 

 toward the trichogyne, open communication results, and the male nuclei 

 migrate into the trichogyne. Thereupon the wall between trichogyne 

 and ascogonium is temporarily dissolved, the male nuclei migrate into 

 the ascogonium, pair with the female nuclei, and migrate into the ascog- 

 enous hyphae. The antheridium collapses and disintegrates (Fig. 107, 

 3 to 5). 



Meanwhile the cell group has become closely surrounded by sterile 

 sheath hyphae which apparently nourish the swollen, spherical ascogo- 

 nium and hence are gradually dissolved in the core of the fructification. 

 The peripheral layers are brown and pseudoparenchymatous, forming 

 the perithecial wall. The ascogenous hyphae divide (according to Dan- 

 geard) ; as in previous forms, into binucleate cells which swell into eight- 

 spored asci. According to Schikorra, the development of the asci takes 

 place according to the Pyronema type. 



