60 FUNGI. 



appears or is absorbed in a mucilaginous matter, which occupies 

 its place, in the midst of which is a small nucleus, which is tho 

 rudiment of the first spore; other spores are formed consecutively, 

 and then the substance separates into as many sections as there 

 are sporidia. From this period each sporidium seems to have a 

 separate existence. All have a nucleus, which is scarcely visible, 

 often slightly granular, but which is quite distinct from the 

 oleaginous sporidioles so frequent amongst the Discomycetes, 

 and which are sometimes called by the same name. The spori- 

 dia are at first a little smaller than when mature, and are sur- 

 rounded by mucilage. After this period the sporidia lose their 

 nebulous granulations, whilst still preserving their nucleus ; their 

 outlines are distinct, and, amongst the true Ascobolei, commence 

 acquiring a rosy colour, the first intimation of maturity. This 

 colour manifests itself rapidly, accumulating exclusively upon 

 the epispore, which becomes of a deep rose, then violet, and 

 finally violet blue, so deep as sometimes to appear quite black. 

 There are some modifications in this coloration, since, in some 

 species, it passes from a vinous red to grey, then to black, or 

 from rose-violet to brown. 



The epispore acquires a waxy consistence by this pigmenta- 

 tion, so that it may be detached in granules. It is to this parti- 

 cular consistency of the epispore that the cracks so frequent in 

 the coloured sporidia of Ascobolus are due, through contraction 

 of the epispore. As they approach maturity, the sporidia accu- 

 mulate towards the apex of the asci, and finally escape in the 

 manner already indicated. 



In all essential particulars there is a great similarity in the 

 structure of the other Discomycetes, especially in their reproduc- 

 tive system. In most of them coloured sporidia are rare. In 

 some the receptacle is pileate, clavate, or inflated, whilst in 

 Stictis it is very much reduced, and in the lowest form of all, 

 Ascomyces, it is entirely absent. In the Phacidiacei^ the struc- 

 ture is very similar to that of the Elvellacei, whilst the Hyste- 

 riacei, with greater affinities with the latter, still tend towards 

 the Pyrenomycetes by the more horny nature of the receptacle, 

 and the greater tendency of the hymenium to remain closed, at 



