ORGANS OF CERTAIN FUNGI. 265 



1853, ^J. Tulasne has given a description of a considerable 

 number of Fungi belonging to the order of the Discomycetes, 

 in which he has observed spermatia ; and he states that he 

 has also discovered them in several of the Pyreiiomycetes. 

 The details of his observations on the latter tribe have not, as 

 far as I am aware, been jet made public, although referred to 

 in a paper in the 15th volume of the 3rd series of the 

 'Annales des Sciences.' 



I have already stated that the functions of the spermatia of 

 Lichens are not yet ascertained ; and as in the vast family of 

 the Fungi there are as yet comparatively few species in 

 which these organs have been certainly observed, it is 

 obvious that we are not yet in a position to hazard an 

 opinion as to the otfice which they fulfil in the latter tribe. 

 All mycologists will, I am sure, agree with M. Tulasne, who 

 has remarked that the present aim of observers should be to 

 ascertain whether spermatia exist in a sufficient number of 

 species to consider them constant or common to all. The 

 subject of their action, supposing t'lem to be male organs, 

 might be afterwards considered. 



Whilst the observer is occupied in investigating the nature 

 of the spermatia, he will naturally and necessarily he led into 

 an inquiry into the nature of two kinds of reproductive organs 

 distinct from the s])ermatia, and which are called stylos])ores 

 and conidia. 



It has been found tliat in some ascigerous Fungi, that is. 

 Fungi in which the normal fructification consists of spores 

 contained in asci or thecae, there are produced other naked 

 spores which are borne upon pedicels of greater or less 

 length, and it is these naked spores to which the name of 

 stylospoTCs has been given. The cellules or pedicels upon 

 which the stylospores are borne, are analogous to the basidia 

 of the Ayaricini : they are sometimes enclosed in a concep- 

 tacle, or case, which is called a Pycnidium. 



Size and complexity of structure generally distinguish the 

 stylospores from the spermatia ; but there is no very definite 

 line of demarcation, so far as regards structure, between sper- 

 matia and small simple stylospores. 



The term conidia was applied by Fries to all reproductive 

 bodies not being normal spores. 



Tulasne restricts it to Gemmcs properly so called, that is to 

 say, reproductive cellules growing directly from the my- 

 celium. 



I will now proceed to state the result of some observations 

 with which I have lately been occupied, bearing upon tlie 

 matters above alluded to. 



