184 



ABOUT FUNGI. 



[CHAP. 



have to call it hereafter), and, germinating, repeat the 

 process described in Penicillium. But in this species 

 there is an alternative method of 

 reproduction shown in figs. 137 

 and 138. Two aerial hyphae (H) 

 in the same vicinity throw out a 

 branch each. These branches 

 have dilated ends which ulti- 

 mately come into 'contact with 

 each other. A septum or divi- 

 sion is formed across the branch 

 just below the dilated end, so that 

 the branch becomes terminated 

 by a cell. After these two cells 

 come in contact, their applied 

 faces become attached, the inter- 

 vening cell-walls become absorbed, 

 and the protoplasm of the two cells mingle and form 

 one large cell the zygospore. It is very different in 



FIG. 136. 



FIG. 138. 



FIG. 



137- 



nature to the ascospore, for the latter, on germinating, 

 gives rise directly to a perfect Mucor ; but the zygo- 

 spore produces a short hypha, which gives off an erect 



