THE FRUCTIFICATION 



45 



which are generally mixed with slender threads termed 

 })arap]iy.ses, and these two bodies together compose the 

 hymcnium. Each ascus when mature encloses 

 eight, more rarely Iniir, or sixteen, sporidia,^ 

 often globose or cIlipLical, and uncoloured. 

 The paraphyses may or may not be abortive 

 asci, the apex may be attenuated, or it may 

 be thickened in various ways, and in the latter 

 case often replete with a coloured protoplasm 

 which imparts the colour to the disc. We 

 arc only desirous of explaining the normal 

 form and structure, without regard to the 

 minor differences which enter into the char- 

 acters of the different genera. We may term 

 the above the Pezizaeform type, which is repre- 

 sented by some two thousand species. 



The question as to the nature and mode \ I u^ 

 "of derivation of the ascospores is at present 

 scarcely more than problematical. No male 

 organs have yet been found in consort with 

 the thecae, and there is no reason to assume 

 that ascospores are the result of sexual union. 

 The only evidence is that offered of conjuga- 

 tion in the earliest stage of the receptacle, by 

 means of which the entire cup and its contents fig 

 is the sequence of a sexual act. De Bary, 

 Woronin, and Tulasne are the observers on 

 whom this jihenomcnon rests. It is to the effect that 



25. — Ascus 

 with sporidia and 

 parajibyses. 



^ It will be well to indicate here the names which are api)lied by tlie best 

 authorities to the spore in its relation to the different families of Fungi. Although 

 these names are somewhat arbitrary, the student will find them employed almost 

 universally in systematic books. 



H-porc, without asci, in perfect Fungi, such as the Basidioraycetes. 



Sporklium, enclosed in asci, in perfect Fungi, such as the Ascomycetes. 



Sporulc, without asci, in imi)erfect Fungi, enclosed in perithceia, such as the 

 Sphaerojisideae. 



ConuHum, without asci, in inijierfect Fungi without a perithccium, such a.s the 

 moulds, or Ilyphomycetes, and Melancuniaceac. 



In Uredines and Phycomycetcae special modifications arc employed which 

 have reference to their development. 



Spermatia, stijlosporcs, and clinosporcs are merged in sporulc. 



