316 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [ocroBER 
This author helieves that the spindles are of intranuclear origin, while the 
centrosomes and asters with which they are associated are of extranuclear origin. 
The nucleus occupies the dense cytoplasm which becomes differentiated about 
it. In Neotiella and Sordaria the protoplasm about the exceedingly large nucleus 
streams out irregularly into the foamy cytoplasm above and below; while 
nucleus of Hydnobolites is surrounded by a hyaline area possessing a radiate 
structure. The fibers of the broad spindle taper in Neotiella and Sordaria to 
terminate in two very minute centrosomes, from which radiate very fine rays, 
often so fine as not to be easily demonstrable. The astral rays in Hydnobolites 
are long and coarse and easily observed. These rays stain differently from the 
centrosome, and there is no evidence that they are outgrowths from or that they 
are absorbed by the centrosome at the time of their disappearance. In Hydno- 
bolites the chromosomes are very small, while those of Neotiella are large horse- 
shoe-shaped bodies. The number of chromosomes may vary in different species, 
being four or five in Hydnobolites and six or seven in Neotiella. The method of 
spore formation is particularly interesting, as it does not at all correspond with 
that described by Harper. A plasma membrane is organized about the spore- 
plasm before the nuclei pass into a resting condition. This membrane is formed 
entirely distinct from the astral rays, which do not appear to enter into its com- 
position. The long thick astral rays of Hydnobolites change position, but s 
as to he thrown farther apart. A fusion is an impossibility. These rays May 
be seen distinctly even after the spores are delimited. ‘The sporeplasm is delim- 
ited from the rest of the cytoplasm by the differentiation of a certain hyaline 
finely granular area. This specialized hyaline layer of protoplasm begins just 
outside the centrosome and proceeds progressively until it entirely encloses the 
sporeplasm. A plasma membrane is subsequently formed from or in this limiting 
area. Concurrently with this first membrane a second membrane is formed in 
contact with the first, which lines the cavity in which the spore is to lie. esto 
suggests that these membranes may arise by a cleavage in the limiting area, @ 
by its increased growth and differentiation and‘a pull on the part of the ee 
Both plasma membranes are intimately concerned in laying down the spore 
between the opposed membranes. The time of the formation of the saat of the 
is variable in the different species and bears no relation to the delimitation wi 
sporeplasm. Multinucleate spores are usually septate, but those re kary- 
are unseptate. The multinucleate condition arises, at least in Sordaria, ot 
okinetic division of the nucleus of the spore. Where a septum is formed due to 
.off an énucleated portion, as the tail of the Podosporas, its organization 6 nly in 
the direct action of the nucleus on the cytoplasm, since septa are jones = 
the immediate neighborhood of nuclei. The author favors the view that + favor 
gizes the ascus with a zoosporangium of the Oomycetes, as an argo 
of the origin of the Ascomycetes from the Oomycetes. He does not ea 
the difference between the method of spore formation in the ascus and ad 
is so great as to prevent an assumption of their homology.—J. B. nic bas 
