DopGE : METHODs oF CULTURE OF ASCOBOLACEAE 143 
isformed. He describes the ascocarp as originating in a knot of 
ordinary mycelial hyphae without the appearance of sex organs 
oranascogonium. He denies the existence of the large ascogonium 
which Borzi found in this species. Zukal (1. c.) germinated the 
spores of Rhyparobius pachyascus in dung decoction and followed 
the development of the ascocarp in drop cultures. He strongly 
denies the presence of sex organs, but his figure of the initial organs 
might well be taken to represent oogonia and antheridia. One cell 
of the mycelium becomes slightly larger than the neighboring cells 
and sends out a large oval bud which is soon cut off from the 
parent cell by a septum. Two or three branches arise from the 
base of this large oval cell, and curving inward, become closely 
applied to its apex. He states that the mycelium of Rhyparobius 
Cookei gives rise to what he calls “ gemmae,”’ by intercalary swell- 
ings. He finds that spores of Ascophanus saccharinus germinate 
readily in Liebig’s meat extract. The ascocarp originates from a 
knot of hyphae which he calls a sclerotium. After about six 
days portions of the mycelial hyphae swell up into knots, which 
increase in size by a process of budding, forming a compact mass 
about 404 in diameter. These so-called sclerotia may develop 
directly into ascocarps or they may continue to increase in size 
up to 804, become reddish in color, and remain in this condition 
several weeks before developing an ascocarp. A second kind of 
sclerotium is more parenchymatous than the first and contains a 
large central cell. Other sclerotia about 200 in diameter are 
covered with hairlike appendages. These sclerotia are said to 
develop ascocarps if kept in moist chambers about six weeks. 
Brefeld (1901) grew Thelebolus stercoreus in dung decoctions. 
He figures a small coiled ascogonium of one or two turns. Rhy- 
Parobius albidus was the only other species of this family which he 
Was able to cultivate from ascospores. By using portions of the 
Mycelium of A scobolus denudatus he obtained good cultures of the 
Species. The mycelium produced great quantities of oidia. After 
oe when the Production of oidia had ceased, an abundant crop 
 apothecia developed. He was able to trace the connection of 
- apothecia with the mycelium giving rise to the oidia. The oidia 
Hed own on sterilized horse dung, and apothecia were obtained. 
© = . . ° a dae 
€s not describe the manner in which the fruit body originates. 
