250 



COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF FUNGI 



forms a small papilla on the side toward the antheridium (if there are 

 two, toward the nearer) (Fig. 164, 4); the wall dissolves and the nuclei 

 of the antheridium migrate into the ascogonium (Fig. 164, 5). The 

 emptied antheridium collapses and disappears entirely. 



On account of technical difficulties, the further development of the 

 ascogonium is not yet cleared up. The numerous nuclei migrate from 



Fig. 164. — Claviceps purpurea. 1 to 3. Fundaments of sexual organs. 4. Ascogonium 

 with copulation papilla. 5. Pasmogamy. (After Killian, 1919.) 



the tip toward the base and the tip degenerates and disappears; of the 

 ascogonium, there remains only a series of binucleate cells of unknown 

 origin. These develop to ascogenous hyphae which form asci, according 

 to the hook type. The ascospores again infect the ovaries of rye or other 

 grasses in the range of hosts and mummify them. 



The development of the sexual organs of Claviceps purpurea is remi- 

 niscent of Monascus in the Plectascales. As in the latter, a multinucleate 



