172 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FUNGI 



theory, but, judging from their writings, consider that species 

 are evolved by certain processes of differentiation from previously 

 existing species. If so, assuming that the gonidial stage of an 

 originally pleomorphic Fungus alone remains, the ascigerous 

 condition having been entirely arrested, should the gonidial 

 form still be considered a phase of a higher form that has no 

 existence, or, being capable of carrying on an entirely independ- 

 ent existence, will it ever be entitled to rank as a species ? 

 If not, then, from the evolution standpoint, all living organ- 

 isms, from analogy, are merely forms of a primitive progenitor. 

 From the above it will be seen that in a systematic work 

 the Sphaeropsideae, Melanconieae, and Hyphomyceteae must be 

 admitted ; and until their affinities are demonstrated by direct 

 experiment, not analogy, it will be well to use the terms genera 

 and species in the ordinary sense." ^ 



^ British Fungi — Phycomycctcs, etc., by G. Massee, p. 65. London, 1891. 



