Maftchester Memoirs, Vol. Ivii. (19 13), No. 8- n 



surrounding of each by an ill-defined protoplasmic area 

 and the subsequent formation of a definite wall, the 

 division of each spore into two, and each daughter cell 

 again into two, resulting in a spore with four cells 

 arranged in a row, and each cell possessing a clearly 

 defined nucleus." 



The divisions within the ascus occur simultaneously 

 and rapidly, but the minuteness of the nuclei rendered 

 unsuccessful attempts to observe the mechanism of 

 division. 



The mature asci are shortly stalked or sessile club- 

 shaped sacs filled at maturity by the eight fusiform or 

 spindle-shaped perfectly hyaline spores. The spores are 

 described as brownish, and hyaline only when young (13). 

 A large number of spores in all stages of development 

 and germination have passed under observation, and in 

 no case has coloration been seen. 



Spokk Ejection. 



The process of dehiscence fully described by W'oronin 

 is by successive spore ejection, a method not uncommon 

 in the Pyrenomycetes, and particularly the Sphaeriaceas. 

 " The ascus is double contoured, the two membranes 

 having different osmotic values. The outer tears at its 

 apex, and the contents enclosed by the inner pellicle, 

 which is attached at its base to the outer envelope, 

 immediately expand to two and a half to three times 

 their original size. The inner pellicle swells immediately 

 by absorbtion of water, and the spores along with a little 

 unused protoplasm are successively ejected with some 

 impetus through an apical pore. The elongation brings 

 the tip of the ascus to the ostiole, and so enables the 

 spores of the fungus to be dispersed." 



