344 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [april 



hyphae of Cudonia. In the next stage of the series, however, 

 threads resembling generative hyphae are visible, and they have 

 already taken up their position just behind the apex of the some- 

 what cone-shaped ascocarp. The envelope here is worthy of some 

 remark, inasmuch as it is easily differentiate by staining into two 

 parts, an outer and an inner. The inner tissue is capable of growth 

 and is responsible for the • persistence of the veil in Spathularia, 

 and for the continued production of the outer tissue which becomes 

 split by the growth of the fruit body into adhering masses of cells 

 which are responsible for the velvety appearance from which the 

 species derives its name. Measurements of the thickness of the 

 envelope in the youngest and in mature specimens here also indicate 

 the extent of this growth, and show the veil to be capable of doubling 

 in thickness, increasing from about 25 to 50 /x. This is but a 

 rough and inadequate index, however, since the outer tissue may 

 be considerably worn away. 



Procarps of a very much reduced nature are produced in 

 Spathularia velutipes. These appear even later than those of 

 Cudonia, arising after the formation of paraphyses. They are 

 more variable in size and shape, and do not possess trichogynes. 

 They are responsible for the initiation of the paired condition of 

 the nuclei, and ascogenous hyphae may be seen arising from them. 

 The entire ascogonial system in Spathularia is just as refractory 

 with respect to stains as that of Cudonia, and nuclear details, 

 consequently, are very difficult to obtain. In all other respects 

 Cudonia and Spathularia resemble one another closely. 



Examination of a complete series from a very young stage to 

 maturity has shown that Trichoglossum hirsutum is not possessed 

 of a veil at any time in the history of the development of its fruit 

 body. The long setae that characterize the ascocarp of this 

 species, however, are present from the very first. This condition 

 is noteworthy, inasmuch as it is very similar to that which Fitz- 

 patrick 5 has described for Rhizina undulata. In these two species 

 we have the only members of the Helvellineae whose develop- 

 mental history has as yet been described, for which the presence 



s Fitzpatrick, H. M., The development of the ascocarp of Rhizina undulata Fr, 

 Bot. Gaz. 63:282-296. 1917. 





