644 



FUNGI 



germinate directly into a new mycele. The enveloping tissue, together 

 with the asci, is known as the sporocarp. In a large number of 

 Ascomycetes the asci are, however, formed without any previous 

 sexual process that has yet been detected. According to the struc- 

 ture of the mature sporocarp, the Ascomycetes may be arranged 

 under three sections : the Discomycetes, in which the sporocarp is 

 exposed, and is then known as an apothece ; the Pyrenomycetes, in 



FIG. 481. liotrytis bassiana : A, the fungus as it first appears at the orifices of the 

 . stigmas : B, tubular filaments bearing short branches, as seen, two days after- 

 wards ; E, magnified view of the same ; C, D, appearance of filaments on the fourth 

 and sixth days ; F, masses of mature spores falling off the branches, with filaments 

 proceeding from them. 



which the perithece is enclosed in a flask-shaped cavity with open 

 neck ; and a third section, in which the sporocarps are completely 

 enclosed. 



In some Ascomycetes a tendency is exhibited to the formation of 

 sclerotes, dense hardened masses of interwoven hyphse. An example 

 of this is furnished by the structure known as * ergot/ the sclerote 

 of a fungus of this kind, Claviceps purpurea, which attacks the ovary 



