CUP FUNGI 



217 



oogone a slender branch grows out, and becomes the 

 antherid, which soon comes into contact with the tricho- 

 gyne. FertiUzation is effected by the passage of the 

 nuclei from the antherid into the trichogyne and from 

 thence into the oogone. As a result numerous branches 

 start out from the oogone, 

 forming the ascogenous 

 hyphae. At the same time 

 their arise numerous sterile 

 hyphae, from the tissues 

 beneath the oogone, and 



, , 1 • , Fig. 98. — Pcziza, and Pyronema. 



these grow upward mter- 



mingling with the ascogenous hyphae, forming a dense 

 felted mass, which gradually takes on the size and form 

 of the spore fruit. The upper ends of the ascogenous 

 hyphae become enlarged into asci in which spores 

 are developed, while the sterile hyphae make up the 

 remainder of the apothecium, some of them standing 

 among the asci as the so-called paraphyses. The asci 

 and paraphyses all reach the same height, and make up 

 the inner surface of the cup (the ''hymenium"). Upon 

 escaping from the asci, the spores germinate and produce 

 the filamentous plants. 



The Morels (ORDER HELVELLALES) 



349. Morels are related to the Cup- 

 fungi, and like them are filamentous sapro- 

 phytes living in the ground. The conical 

 fruit is stalked, and its upper surface is 

 studded with hymenial areas in which are 

 asci and paraphyses similar to those of 

 the preceding order. A common species 

 is Morchella esculenia, in which the whitish fruit is 



