Scofield: DICTYOPHORA RAVENELII BURT. 531 
form presence of this prominent hypha would suggest the idea 
that it is intimately concerned with the formation of the sporo- 
phore while also perhaps evidence that a fusion has taken place 
at this point may be seen in the knotted condition of the hypha. 
This gives rise to the thought that a cell fusion at this point 
may have initiated all the resulting activities. In Fig. g is 
shown a section of a small strand at the branching point and 
the supposed evidence of fusion is here very clear. That the 
peculiar deep-staining ability of this prominent hypha is conse- 
quent to such a fusion is indicated by the fact that the hypha 
cannot be traced along the strand any great distance from this 
point. 
It is unfortunate that the technique of the material is not 
sufficiently developed to make possible a study of the nuclear 
phenomena at this point, for clearly the complete solution of 
this problem must lie in the study of the nuclear processes. 
Whatever action takes place here is a matter of considerable 
importance in the life history of the plant, for the subsequent 
differentiation of the hyphal tissue is very complex. 
The first marked step in the differentiation of the sporophore 
is shown in Fig. 2. The gelatinization of the area between 
the outer and inner layers of the volva is shown at V*. There 
is a somewhat indefinite integument formed about the whole 
body by the breaking down of the hyphe at the surface. The 
hyphe lying in the area of the stipe S also begin to be promi- 
nent and tissue of much the same nature extends out like 
an umbrella from the top of the stipe area. This is evidently 
brought about by the apical growth of the large hyphae shown in 
Fig. r. Being limited by the denser hyphe of the periphery, 
they take a downward direction. This tissue ‘‘P” gives rise 
later to the pileus and gleba and there remains between this and 
the stipe a tissue of the same structure as that of the volva. 
The tissue of the base ‘‘” is similar in structure to that of the 
stipe, but closer in texture. The next important stage is shown 
in Fig. 3. Here the different areas are fairly well marked. 
The area between pileus and stipe is distinct, but is composed 
of very loosely woven hyphez. It is in direct connection with 
the tissue of the volva, but is nearly separated from it by the 
base ‘‘B,” which has extended considerably. 
There becomes evident at this point an area of less tension 
near the middle of this base and just below the stipe. This is 
