~ 
132 
contaminating fungus Penicillium sp. In consequence, there is 
among myco very general scepticism as to the reality of 
any genetic relationship between e crosporogenating 
mi 
y and Botrytis cinerea. Even if the evidence of such 
relationship be admitted, the microconidia are merely regarded 
as @ bizarre form without morphological status, and are un- 
a Wwitne, in systematic treatises on the fungi. 
hilst carrying out an extensive series of pure culture experi- 
ments with this fungus, the formation of microconidia was noted 
and the opportunity was taken to attempt a decisive settlement 
of the question of ihe true status of these spores. 
The process of microsporogeny was first observed in a culture- 
six weeks old of a strain of the fungus derived from onion leaves 
Bb 
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cillioid gro c 
mycelium. It was at first suspected that the former was develop- 
ing parasitically upon the latter, as in the case of Cicinnobolus 
upon the mycelium of Hrysiphe,* or certain Penicillia upon the 
that the formation of minute conidia is a true developmental 
Formation or Mrcrocontpra. 
The microconidia may originate either from the vegetative 
mycelium, from the cells of the conidiophores, or directly b the 
germination of the conidia. The latter as the simplest case will 
be described first. . 
* See De Bary in De Bary, A. and Wordnin, M.: Beitrige zur Morphologie- 
und Physiologie der Pilze, 1870. 
+ Brefeld, O. : Untersuchungen ii. 1874, 
