PYRENOMYCETES. 125 



Family 3. Pyrenomycetes. 



In this family the hymenium is enclosed in small fruit-bodies, 

 perithecia (Fig. 120 &), which appear to the naked eye as small dots. 

 In shape they resemble a globe or a flask with a narrow mouth, 

 through which the spores are ejected (peronocarpic ascocarps). 

 Different kinds of reproduction conidia, pycnidia (chiefly with 

 microconidia), chlamydospores, and perithecia are found in the 

 same species. The various stages in the life-history of these 

 Fungi are so dissimilar, that formally they were considered to be 

 different genera. Ergot furnishes a very good example. 



This family may be subdivided into 3 sub-families. 



PIG. 114. 'A email portion of an ovary attacked FIG. 115. An ovary with the conidial 



with Claviceps purpurea (Sphacelia). stage of Claviceps purpurea (Sphacelia). 



Sub-Family 1. Hypocreales. 



The perithecia are pale, fleshy, brightly coloured, and generally 

 aggregated on a stroma. Conidia and chlamydospores occur very 

 frequently. Only one order. 



Order. Hypocreacese. In this order the majority are 

 parasites upon Flowering-plants (Nectria, Polystigma, Epichloe, 

 Claviceps) ; but some are parasites upon Fungi (Hypomyces, Melano- 

 spora), or upon insects (Cordyceps). 



The most important member of this order is the ERGOT {Clavi- 

 ceps purpurea, Figs. 114, 115, 116). This Fungus is found in the 

 flowers of many species of Grasses, especially the Rye, attacking 

 and destroying the ovaries. In the FIRST or coxfloiAL STAGE of the 

 attack, the ovaries are found covered with a white, irregularly 



