MOXOGRAm OP THE LABOULBEXIAC^K.E. 359 
crc 
tliomyccs, in ignorance of the fact that it had already been used by Lcbert in n zoologii;i1 
paper (Zcitschrift fiir Wisscnschaftliche Zoologic, lb58, Vol. iX., p. 441) for an catonicMrtMious 
fungus probably identical with Isarui sphinguiiu The name Khachoinyccs has been substituted 
as suggesting the resemblance which the main axis of the phint bcurb to a viMlebral column n 
resemblance sometimes made more striking by the ])rc6cnco of a sigmoid cui've (Plate XU 
fig. 6). 
The eight species which compose the genus arc m^v^ constnnf in their essential characters 
and vary chiefly as regards the number of cells coni2»osing tljc mnin axis of the receptacle, and 
in the number and length of tlie appendages. Extremos in those respects aro reprt^^Lulcd bv fhc 
mate XIT, figs. 12-l;J) 
1 have bi'i n nn;ibl(» 
to obtain a series of young specimens to illustrate tlic complete dcvelojunent of Ihc main axis of 
the receptacle; but from the specimens available it is evident tliat the main Itody of the hitter 
arises as a lateral outgrowth, somewhat in the same manner and in the same po^^ition that the 
pcrithecium of genera like Laboull)enia or Stigmolomyces originates. Tlio youngest condition 
observed consists of a simple series of suporpos. d cells, the terminal porti(»n of which, all above 
the sub-basal cell, becoming l)lnckened and modified to form the lowest member of the series of 
appendages, which are cliaractcristic of all the species of this genus. Tl is then as an outgrowth 
from the sub-basal cell that all tlic remainder of the plant is developed. The first indication of 
this development is seen in fig. 10, Plate XII, in which an oblique partition has divided the sub- 
basal cell into an upper and a lower portion, and it is from the subsequent divisions of this u]'per 
portion tliat the body of the receptacle, including the male and female organs, arises. 'Jlie axis, 
as in so many other instances among the Laboulbeniaceaj, more especially in the case of their 
appendages, seems to consist in reality of a series of sympodial branches, wlnle the appendages 
and antheridial branchlets arise from small cells, which become laterally separated on one side. 
The appendages arc arranged in two vertical rows throughout the greater portion of the axis, 
thus succeeding one another in pairs as a rule ; and between them and for the most part wholly 
concealed by them are borne sterile or antheridial branchb'ts ; tlie latter, so far as known, nlso 
produced in pairs, ap[»res^ed in habit, eacli bearing a single terminal, fla.sk-shaped antheridium 
of the usual form (J\T^* 18-10). The perithecium seems to arise from one of the sub-terminal 
cells of the main axis between the appendaues, which may at maturity be present around its 
base. The terminal portion of the axis often extends normally some distance beyond the base of 
the perithecium, as in R.furcatus; while in other cases it may be very short, as in R. lasio- 
phorus; and it is from this portion that the proliferation described below takes place. 
The receptacle normally bears but a single perithecium, but in exceptional cases two may be 
formed side by side from the same cell (Plate X, fig. 22). When, liowever, the triehogyne has 
for any reason failed to become fertilized, or the perithecium which was first formed is injured 
or becomes infertile, a terminal proliferation of the axis takes place, and from tliis proliferation 
is produced sub-terminally a second perithecium, as in fig. 2, Plate XII. This process may be 
once or even twice repeated, as in fig. 14 ; but in any case the phenomenon is not to be con- 
sidered a normal occurrence. It may be mentioned as a curious fact that the number of cells 
which compose one of these proliferations in a given species seems to be more or less constant, 
as indicated in the figure last cited. 
