P YRENOM7CETES. 



291 



falls to the ground, where it usually remains till the follow- 

 ing spring, when its hyphae begin a new growth. As a re- 

 sult of this new growth several little branches shoot up, and 

 each forms a globular head (the receptacle) at its summit 

 (A, Fig. 199). Large numbers of flask-shaped perithecia 

 form in the cortical region of the receptacles (B, Fig. 199, cp); 

 each contains many elongated asci, which rise from the bot- 



Pig. 199. Claviceps purpure.a. A, a sclerotium (ergot), c, forming the receptacles 

 (sporocarps ?), cl. B, longitudinal section of a receptacle, showing the porithecia, cp. 

 0, a perithecium, with the surrounding tissue ; cp, its orifice ; hy, hyphse of the re- 

 ceptacle ; sfi, outer layer of the receptacle. Z>, a single ascus, ruptured, permitting 

 the elongated narrow ascospores, sp, to escape. A and B moderately, 6' and D high- 

 ly magnified. After Tulasne. 



torn of the cavity (C, Fig. 199), and themselves contain 

 several greatly attenuated ascospores (D, Fig. 199, sp). 

 The ascospores germinate under proper conditions, and pro- 

 duce sphacelia, thus completing the round of life. 



385. Thus far no sexual organs have been found, but 

 from the general similarity of these fungi to the Peziza and 

 other Helvellacese, it may be surmised that sexual organs and 



