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SPORE DISSEMINATION 31 
Instead of having a cap-shaped portion of the ascus break off as 
described for the genus P/eurage, there obtains here a perforation 
in the broadly rounded to truncate apex, through which the spores 
find exit. This is not to be considered an actual opening, but 
simply a thin spot in the ascus wall. This is situated in a slight 
depression which causes the apex of the ascus to be spoken of 
in descriptive works as thickened. 
It is impossible to watch the asci stretch here as in the pre- 
vious genus on account of the fact that the wall of the perithe- 
cium is always dark and opaque. In several instances, however, 
spores have been seen ejected, but in no case have the asci been 
seen actually protruding from the ostiolum. 
No special experiments have been performed to determine the 
distance to which the spores are thrown, but casual observation of 
the sides and covers of my culture chambers in which S. fimicola 
was grown has revealed distances as high as 6 cm. Inasmuch as 
great quantities of spores were found at this distance from the sub- 
stratunr the figures are probably much below the normal. 
It has been stated that the mechanism appears much less effi- 
cient in this genus than in the previous one. This statement is made 
on observations of paper and agar-agar cultures mainly, where 
in some cases the majority of the perithecia were found with large 
bunches of spores on their apices. This condition is also com- 
mon in any culture. These perithecia when studied carefully were 
seen to have their necks filled for a considerable distance with loose 
spores. These are pushed out by the pressure of consecutive ex- 
panding asci. Being covered with a viscid gelatinous substance 
they adhere to each other and to the apex of the perithecium 
forming a globular mass resting on the ostiolum. Often the 
spores are pushed out in a column, of the same diameter as the 
opening, which protrudes in a straight line or curves downward 
by its own weight for a distance of 5 mm. or more. (Pl. 28. f. 
14.) This gives an appearance very similar to certain of the 
Hypocreales, especially to species of the genus Melanospora. 
The genus Hypocopra has an ascus very similar indeed to that 
o une ne there remains to be described here a very 
ture whose function and composition are entirely . 
unknown. From its position it is supposed to be connected with 
