462 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [DECEMBER 
The determination of the number of chromosomes in the ascus as 
well as in other cells is of the highest importance, as it will indicate 
the real nature of alternation of generations in the higher fungi. 
Since the chromosome number has been determined by several 
authors for a number of species of Ascomycetes, it may prove useful 
to summarize the results. (See the foregoing table.) 
That there is considerable difference of opinion as to the chromo- 
some number even in the same species of some Ascomycetes is evi- 
dent from the above table. In Ascobolus and Pyronema HARPER 
finds eight and ten respectively; while DANGEARD claims that there 
are four in both species. GUILLIERMOND and Marre have established 
the number eight for Anaptychia; while DancEaRD claims four 
for this species also. Marre counts four chromosomes in Galactinia 
succosa and Pustularia vesiculosa, while GUILLIERMOND claims that 
there are eight in each of these forms. 
From the above résumé it seems perfectly evident that no such 
hypothesis as that the chromosome number four is general among the 
Ascomycetes, as DANGEARD imagines, can be maintained. In this 
group, on the contrary, judging from the above facts, related species 
may vary in their respective chromosome numbers, just as has been 
found to be the case in many of the higher plants. 
In a recent paper Marre (:05) criticizes GUILLIERMOND (:05) 
for saying that he maintains that there are probably four chromosomes 
in all Ascomycetes, but admits that he and DancEarD have formu- 
lated practically parallel hypotheses on this point. DANGEARD 
(:03), however, distinctly refers this hypothesis to MAtRE (Séance 
de la société mycologique de France tenue & Poitiers ea Octobre, 
1903), and says “‘ Cette découverte a été faites simultanément et d’une 
maniére indépendante par Marre et nous: elle offre, semble-t-il, 
toutes garanties de certitude.” It appears from these facts that 
Mair has the responsibility of having first made the claim made by 
DANGEARD, but which Marre now attributes to him. It is per- 
fectly plain that no basis for such a hypothesis exists, a fact which 
MAIRE apparently fully recognizes. 
Since DANGEaRD first described the asci in a number of forms as 
arising from the cell next the terminal one, several deviations from 
this type have been reported. That no such regular process of ascus 
