Biante A Sas uak Ub aaaee 
VoL. 31 No. 3 
BULLETIN 
‘a OF THE 
TORREY BOTANICAL CLUB 
ay ooo 
MARCH, 1904 
Taxonomic importance of the spermogonium* 
J. C. ARTHUR 
It is as well at the outset to disclaim all intention of treating the 
subject from any real knowledge of the true nature of the spermo- 
_ gonium. The name implies a sexual function, either active or ob- 
 solete. The similarity in structure to the pycnidia of lichens has 
induced many attempts to discover a similarity in function, but 
wholly without success. So far as known, the spermatia, which 
are discharged abundantly from the spermogonium, have no con- 
nection with the further development of the fungus. They may 
be induced to grow somewhat and bud, when placed in a nutrient 
solution, but no permanent structure has ever been obtained, and 
No parasitic connection has ever been established. So far as pres- 
_ ent knowledge extends, the spermogonium is an isolated organ 
with functions not yet conjectured, or whose original functions 
Pave been lost through modifications, possibly induced by para- 
Sitism. 
Cytological evidence shows very distinctly that the spermo- 
-gonium is an organ in no wise comparable with the uredosorus or 
aecidium. The spermatia, which are discharged abundantly from 
he ‘spermogonium, contain each but a single nucleus, which arises 
of the BULLETIN, Vol. 31, No. 2, for February, 1904 
1904.] 
