FUXGI 155 



discussed ; the author seems to favour the priiuitiveness of the Endo- 

 mvcetacese, which, on our present knowledge, is the view which appears 

 able to withstand serious criticism. 



Following this chapter full of controversy, we reach less troubled 

 seas ; chapters are devoted to Plectomycetes, Discomycetes, and 

 J"yi-enom\'cetes : "* The group Plectomycetes is constituted to include 

 tliose relativ^el}^ simple forms which possess neither the cuj)-shaped 

 apothecium of the Discomycetes nor the liask-shaped peritheciuni 

 opening by a definite ostiole which characterizes the Pj'renomycetes. 

 In the majority of the remaining Ascom^'cetes a rounded ascocarp is 

 produced, but it opens either by the decay of its walls or by an 

 irregular split or tear. The asci may arise from the floor of this 

 fruetitication, and stand parallel one to another, or they maybe irregu- 

 larl}' disposed, the fertile hy^jha^ forming a tangled weft. In other 

 families the asci are naked; they stand parallel in the Exoascacete, 

 but in these parasitic forms their position is probably determined by 

 the fact that they grow up between the epidermal cells or under the 

 cuticle of the host, and may be w^ithout phylogenetic significance. 

 In the EndomycetaceLe they are irregularly disjjosed on the mycelium, 

 and in the Saccharomycetaceai a mycelium is not developed." The 

 group includes Plectascales (Plectascineie, Protascinea3, and some 

 Hemiasci of the P^aiizenfamiVitn), Erysiphales, and Exoascales. 

 It is probably a very unnatural group, but brings together a series of 

 detached ends, for which many will be devoutly thankful. 



The detailed study of each family really amounts to the considera- 

 tion of a series of types, the types being those of wdiich sufficiently 

 clear details are known. Here, as throughout the book, there ai-e 

 suggestions as to special points which still require elucidation. The 

 relation of these types to one another is shown in a series of not 

 too detailed keys. In the Pyrenomycetes especial stress is laid on the 

 wonderful Laboulbeniales. This very full and critical description 

 will be much appreciated bj^ those who have difficulty in consulting 

 Thaxter's monographs on this group which he has made so much 

 his own. 



The last section of the book deals with Busidiomycetes, but only 

 with Ustilaginales and Ui-edinales. These two groups make an ideal 

 subject for text-book treatment and most of the points they raise ai-e 

 treated more or less fully. It is suggested that the life-cycle of the- 

 Ustilaginales appears to be reduced rather than primitive, the conju- 

 gation of the sjjores replacing some ordinaiy sexual process ; " but the 

 present state of our knowledge scarcely' permits speculation as to what 

 the earlier alternation of generations may have been." Whereas fo-r 

 the progenitor of the Uredinales a species must be sought "with a 

 Cieonia from the secidiospores af which promycelia are produced. Such 

 a form has been recognised in Kiinktlia nitensy 



It is to be regretted that the work does not include the whole of 

 the Eungi. It is stated in the preface that "The manuscript was- 

 completed early in 1917, but an endeavour has been made to bring it 

 up to date." It may be that the more or less compulsoiy completion 

 of the manuscript then precluded the author from continuing w^ith 

 the Phycomycetes and Basidionnxetes. As the main cause has 

 been removed, we maj^ perhaps hope for a sujoplementary volume. 



