3IO 



THALLOPHYTES. 



beneath it ; from them is developed the wall of the apothecium. In Ascobolus pulcherrimus 

 the carpogonium consists of a vermiform body, which Tulasne calls the Scolecite. It is 

 a branch of the mycelium, consisting of a row of short cells which are much broader 

 than those of the mycelium. The adjacent threads put out small branches, pollinodia, 

 the terminal cells of which attach themselves firmly to the anterior part of the scolecite. 

 It is subsequently covered over, together with this fertilising organ, by branched hyphae 



Fig. 205. — Peziza convexula ; A vertical section of the 

 whole plant (X about 20) ; h hymenium or layer in which lie the 

 asci ; 5 the hyphal tissue surrounding the hymenium like a 

 cup at its margin g; at its base fine filaments proceed from 

 the tissue, which penetrate into the soil ; B a small part of 

 the hymenium (X about 500) ; sh subhymenial layer of densely 

 interwoven hyphse ; a—f asci, with intermediate slender para- 

 physes, in which are red granules. 



Fig. 206.— Conjugating apparatus o^ Peziza coff 

 fluens (atter Tulasne, very strongly magnified) ; in R 

 is shown the commencement of the formation of hy- 

 phte h, in consequence of fertilisation, from which the 

 apothecium is developed. 



which spring from the neighbouring mycelium ; and a ball is thus formed in the middle 

 of which lies the scolecite ; and this finally grows into the apothecium. In all these 

 cases the origin of the ascogenous filaments from the carpogonium has not as yet been 

 observed, but according to analogy there can be no doubt that such is the case. 



In this group of the Discomycetes there are some individuals of which the mycelium 

 forms conidia, and the unripe fructification is in inactive sclerotium. Pe%i%a Fuckeliana ^ 



[On Peziza Fuckeliana and Sderotionim see Pirotta, Nuov, Giorn. Bot. Ital. i88r.] 



