650 THK (iKNa^S CONIOTHECIL'M 



Neger " ( i8()6) holds that Coniothccinm forms part of the 

 hfe cycle of Antcnnaria scoriadca Berk. 



Gneguen I (1902) has published an excellent account on the 

 morj)hology, physiology, and systematic position of the group. 

 He studied especially C. Amcntaccarittn Corda, and notes the 

 following" chief points : — 



(i) The spores germinate readily in Raulin's gelatin within 

 five hours. They do not increase sensibly in size, hut round 

 themselves and become lighter in colour. From one or two 

 points, rarely naore, a refringent cylindrical or slightly attenuated 

 germ tube is given off which becomes septate. 



(2) The formation of typical Coniotheciuui spores. 



(3) Certain mycelial branches enrol themselves without 

 leaving the surface of the substratum, forming a complicated 

 cushion resembling a parcel of rope, or a spiral squeezed and 

 enrolled in divers ways. These structures were of fref[uent 

 occurrence in gelatin cultures, but appeared more abundantly in 

 distilled water. He draws attention to the resemblance of this 

 structure to the first stages in the development of the ascopliores 

 of certain Pyrciwmycctcs. 



(4) The formation of small nodular swellings borne on a 

 short branch, or formed at a region of anastomoses. These 

 nodules increase in size, acquire a diameter double or treble that 

 of the mycelium, and at the same time roll themselves into a 

 tight spiral. Their contents become very refringent, and their 

 membranes thicken and colour. Often they give out a kind of 

 short bud which enrols itself on it. A mass of irregular lobes 

 of various forms is produced which resemble a mass of Conio- 

 thecium spores. 



(5) The formation of buds on the mycelium. These buds 

 never fall off, and were not observed to germinate. Bodies 

 similar to these buds, but more fusiform, were also found. 



(6) The anastomoses of hyphcC, which too become torulate 

 and resemble a Fitiiiago. The formation of intercalary chlamy- 

 dospores. or the dissociation of the cells of the hyphse. 



(7) The formation of broom-like or feather-like structures 

 borne either on a mycelial coremium or arising from numerous 

 anastomoses. They arise in a way analogous to similar struc- 

 tures which MatruchotJ found constant in Gliocladium viride 

 Matr. 



(8) The formation of coremations. 



(9) From his study he concludes that Coniotheciiim, and in 

 particular Coniotheciiim Amentaccarum Corda, must be consi- 

 dered an imperfect form of a genus related to Capnodium. 



* Neger: " Uel)er cin neue Fruchtform cines Funiago-ahnlichen Pilzes, 

 Antennaria scoriadea Berk., C.f.B.Dd. II. Abt. II, S. 613 



t Giieguen. F. — Reserches sur la Morphologie, le Developpement et la 

 position Svstcmatiqne des Coniotheciums. Bull, dc la Soc. M\c. dc France, 

 18, 151. 



X Matruchot, M. : " Sur uii Gliocladium nouveau," Bull, dc la Soc. 

 Myc. de France, 9, 249. 



