1896] CERTAIN PYRENOMYCETOUS FUNGI 303 
formation of the asci, and hence no relation can be traced between 
fertilization and the origin of the spore. In Sordaria also, 
according to Woronin (g), the origin of the ascus cannot be 
traced certainly to the archicarp. ‘In Claviceps, Epichloe, 
Pleospora, and perhaps also Nectria, no cooperation of the 
above named organs (archicarp and antheridium) has been 
observed, and no distinct ascogonium.” . . . ‘The young 
perithecium, as at present known, is a body consisting of similar 
hyphe or parenchymatous cells, and its elements are gradually 
fashioned and differentiated into the parts of the perithecium.” 
“ Hartig’s (10) conjecture with regard to Nectria, that special 
ascogenous initial organs are really present on the very young 
stoma, but up to the present time have been overlooked, may 
certainly hold good of Claviceps and Epichloe.” (De Bary, /.¢. 
200.) Hartig (10) finds sexual organs in Rosellinia, Woronin (9) 
claims sexuality for Spharia and Sordaria, and Harper (5), ina 
recent article on Spharotheca, shows conjugation and traces the 
origin and development of the ascus from the fertilized archicarp. 
Thus far we have shown strong support for the theory of the 
presence of sexuality in the Pyrenomycetes. But Brefeld (11), 
with a school of well known workers, opposes this view, tracing 
the development of the compound sporocarp through an asexual 
line and denying the significance which the De Bary school 
attach to certain characteristi¢s of these plants. 
Concerning the nuclei of the Ascomycetes we learn from 
De Bary that the young asci in both Discomycetes and Pyreno- 
mycetes, so far as studied, contain each a primary nucleus, and 
later one smaller nucleus is present in each of the eight spores. 
Sadebeck (12), in 1883, published certain details of nuclear behav- 
‘erin the Exoascacez. He indicates that karyokinetic divisions 
take place in the ascus, increasing the number of nuclei from 
eae \ the primary nucleus) to one for each of the spores. His 
ree kinetic structures are, however, very rudimentary, ie a 
poles ap ed " his figure by two rounded granular Bees o, 
of ka = Spindle consisting merely of three lines. o del 
yokinesis are given. 
