FOSSIL FUNGI 181 



FOSSIL FUNGI 



Zeiller in a brief summary of the chronological sequence 

 of fungi states that members of the Chytrideae, Muco- 

 raceae, and Peronosporeae have been observed in vegetable 

 tissues in Lower Carboniferous and Permian rocks. 



Numerous Ascomycetes, Pyrenomycetes, and Discomy- 

 cetes occur on leaves, and in the tissues and stems of 

 many different plants, in some instances so well preserved 

 that the structure of the perithecia with their conidia or 

 spores can be studied. These extend from the Carboniferous 

 period upwards. Members of the Hyphomycetes are also 

 present during this period. 



Basidiomycetes represented by members of the Agari- 

 cineae and Polyporeae have been found in Tertiary 

 formations. 



Zeiller also quotes Renault as announcing the presence 

 of a member of the Uredineae occurring fixed to the inner 

 wall of the macrospore of a Lepidodendron from the Lower 

 Carboniferous period. The figure of a single body resem- 

 bling a teleutospore, given by Renault, is, however, not 

 convincing. 



Weiss has notified the occurrence of a mycorrhiza in the 

 root of what is probably a Lycopodiaceous plant, from the 

 lower Coal measures. It is interesting to note that at this 

 early period symbiosis between fungi and the higher plants 

 was evolved. 



Meschinelli has figured and described all known fossil 

 fungi, numbering just over four hundred species. 



Meschinelli, Fungorum fossilium omnium Iconographia 

 (1898). 



