288 



BOTANY. 



380. In Ascobolus the carpogonium consists of a row of 

 cells ; it develops from the end of a brunch of the mycelium, 

 which becomes curved and divided by several partitions (c, 

 Fig. 197). On account of its peculiar shape it is frequently 

 spoken of as the " vermiform body," or scolecite. From 

 another portion of the mycelium an elongated and branched 

 antheridium rises, and comes in contact with the free end of 

 the carpogonium (I, Fig. a 



197) ; after this pro- 4 ,.-- 



cess numerous filunx nts 

 branch from the mid- 

 dle cell of the carpogo- 

 nium and pass upward, 

 eventually producing 

 asci (s and a, Fig. 197). 

 At the same time an 

 abundant growth of hy- 

 phse takes place from the 

 mycelium below the car- 

 pogonium, and from this 

 the greater part of the 

 muss of the fruiting 

 plant is produced ; it 

 also invests the hyme- 

 nium, forming the so- 

 called pericarp which 

 encloses it (r, Fig. 197). 



Vertical branches of the sterile tissue also pass 

 hymenial layer and constitute the paraphyses. 



381. The 'asexual reproductive bodies are but little 

 known, but enough is known to indicate that there is at 

 least a conidia-bearing stage for these Ascomycetes, as for all 

 others. De Bary has shown that the early stage of the little 

 plant known as Peziza Fuckeliana is mould-like in appear- 

 ance, in fact having been described as a mould under the 

 name of Polyactis chirrea. In this stuge it grows upon dead 

 grape leaves, sending its mycelium through the dead tissues. 

 Its vertical hyphae produce clusters of oval conidia, which 

 are much like those produced in the corresponding stage of 



Fig. 197. Diagrammatic vertical section of 

 the spprocarp of Ascoboln* furfuracens. m, m, 

 mycelium: c, carpogouium ; /, untheridinm ; , 

 branches bearing the asci, a, a; ;>, />, pseudo- 

 parenchymatous sterile tissue : r, r, cortical 

 portion of sterile tissue above it forms the so- 

 called pericarp, which surrounds and encloses 

 the hymenium, h. After Janczewsky. 



into the 



