306 TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI 



commencing pale lilac, and passing through intense violet 

 to opaque brown. In Ascobolus the spores are as described 

 above, and when mature show pale streaks or an irregular 

 network of lines on the surface, due to the cracking of the 

 dark epispore, the colourless endospore showing through 

 the cracks. In Ascobolus the asci project much above the 

 level of the hymenial surface at maturity, and the spores 

 are ejected elastically in a mass surrounded by gluten, and 

 adhere to whatever they come in contact with. In some 

 species there are numerous spores included in an ascus. 

 In some of the dung -borne species the spores only 

 germinate after passing through the alimentary canal of 

 some herbivorous animal. All are saprophytic. 

 Species occur everywhere where dung is present. 



Dermateae 



Usually quite minute, Ascophores often gregarious or 

 crowded and springing from a common, compact base, 

 which is usually immersed in the substratum. Often dry 

 in texture and rather tough ; dingy in colour ; exterior of 

 ascophore often scurfy or mealy. Generally saprophytic 

 on wood and branches. 



Mostly known from temperate regions. 



Eulgarieae 



Ascophore more or less gelatinous when growing, be- 

 coming hard and rigid when dry, and recovering their 

 gelatinous texture when moistened. Often first producing 

 conidiophores. Form variable, discoid, shallowly cup- 

 shaped, or clavate and vertical. Mostly saprophytes. 



Distribution general. 



