DEVELOPMENT OF PLANTS 231 



effected and a gametospore had been formed. It germinates by 

 developing a number of erect sac-like hyphae or asci (Fig. 140, J5). 

 Adjoining hyphae grow up among the asci and around them, 

 forming a cup-like structure resembling that shown in Fig. 139. 

 A section through one of these cups reveals the asci intermingled 

 with hyphae, also called paraphyses, in the form of a layer or 

 stratum. Such an association of spore-bearing organs and para- 

 physes is called a hymenium. The spores are discharged to con- 

 siderable distances, owing to the accumulation of fluids in the 

 asci which finally rupture at their apices. They are formed 

 in such enormous numbers that under favorable conditions they 

 may be seen passing off as faint puffs of smoke. The bright 

 scarlet cups of Sarcoscypha, common in the spring on decaying 

 sticks and the gray cups of Peziza growing upon the ground 

 and decaying wood, are familiar examples of the order. 



84. Relationship of the Cup Fungi. The Pezizales may be 

 regarded as the typical representatives of the Ascomycetes. 

 The sexual reproductive process as outlined above is fairly 

 representative of the other groups of ascomycetes and will not 

 be referred to again except in orders where noteworthy departures 

 occur. The formation of spores or conidia are characteristic 

 features of many of the groups but owing to the exceedingly 

 diverse character and origin of these bodies attention will only 

 be directed to some of the more familiar and common examples 

 as illustrated in the two last orders. Diverging from these typi- 

 cal ascomycetes are several lines of fungi that show varying de- 

 grees of relationship to them. As an example of this divergence 

 attention may first be directed to the Helvellales. 



85. Order b. Helvellales. These are fleshy forms like the 

 cup fungi and grow upon the ground, but the reproductive process 

 results in the development of oddly shaped ascocarps with the 

 hymenium developed upon the upper exposed surface. Several 

 common forms of these ascocarps are illustrated in Fig. 141. 



The morel or Morchella, in which the hymenium is spread over 

 the pitted or honey-combed surface of the ascocarp, is one of 

 the most highly prized of the edible fungi. The members of 

 this order are largely saprophytic and often attain considerable 



