ON THE SEXUALITY OF THE FUNGI. 291 



Concerning Eremascus, where a true conjugation takes 

 place between the apices of two similar hyphse coiled round one 

 another like a double screw, it is not easy to see why the pro- 

 duct of the sexual act (a globular body situated between the 

 conjugating apices) should not rather be termed a zygospore 

 than an ascus. The fact of its containing eight '^ spores^' in- 

 stead of one, is no more peculiar than in the case of the Sapro- 

 legnise, where an oogonium may contain one to twelve or many 

 more oospheres. Eidam recognises the general similarity to 

 Zygospore 86, but gives no adequate reasons for choosing the 

 name " ascus " in preference to " zygospore/^ The eight-spored 

 body would be an extremely anomalous ascus ; but it is im- 

 possible to decide the matter until the asexual spores are 

 discovered. It is interesting to note, however, that the so- 

 called " asci " arise parthenogenetically in rare cases. 



The main results of Eidam's observations go to prove that 

 in apogamous forms there may be more or less indications of 

 certain rudimentary organs — antheridial branches (?) — but they 

 do not seem to establish his conclusions that sexuality exists in 

 these forms. Of course it is open to imagine that the sexual 

 act comes in now and again, as Eidam suggests, but no one 

 acquainted with the facts will lay stress on this supposition. 



If we now turn from the Ascomycetes to the other groups of 

 Fungi, the chief papers published lately are not very numerous. 



The most important, probably, is Woronin's memoir on the 

 UstilagineEe,^ and his description of the hitherto little-under- 

 stood Tubercinia trientalis. "Woronin devoted much time 

 to this investigation, commenced sixteen years ago. We may 

 shortly summarise the life-history as follows : 



In May and June the under side of Trientalis leaves are 

 apt to be covered with white patches. These consist of the 

 colourless couidia,- supported on long hyphse, much like those 

 of Ramularia, Peronospora, and others. These conidia- 

 beariug hyphse spring from a mycelium in the leaves. In the 



1 ' Abhandl. Senk. Nat. f. Gesellscliaft,' B. xii, H. iv, ISSl. 



2 These are true couidia, homologous with those of Ascomycetes, and 

 have uothiug to do with the ordinary spores and " sporidia. ' 



