288 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [NOVEMBER 
mately be the basis of any such reclassification. The following 
quotation from Frvx (12) exemplifies this view: ‘‘The classifica- 
tion of the fungi is really based in the main upon the morphological 
relationships of the reproductive areas, and in the lichens also these 
relationships surely have a greater importance in classification than 
the form-relationships of the thallus.’ This being so, such corre- 
spondences as have been disclosed here should indicate a basis of 
relationship between the Geoglossaceae and the Baeomyces group of 
the disco-lichens. This evidence of relationship is made stronger 
by the homology shown to exist between the veils which inclose 
the ascocarp in many of these two groups. The further extension 
of this relationship should aid materially in the problem of classi- 
fication, and should give direction to our ideas concerning the 
affinities of these two interesting groups of plants. 
Summary 
1. The development of the ascocarp in Cudonia lutea and in 
Spathularia velutipes is notable for the appearance of an inclosing 
membrane which covers over the entire fructification, and whic 
constitutes a morphologically distinct organ of the fruit body. 
Very early stages of Cudonia show its presence, and it is one of the 
first organs of the ascocarp to be differentiated. Trichoglossum 
hirsutum lacks entirely any such investment, and the ascocarp is 
therefore gymnocarpous. Leotia lubrica shows some evidences of 
possessing an evanescent veil, but this is a point which requires 
further elucidation. 
2. The value of the Helvellinean veil as a systematic criterion 
depends more upon the fact that it is a morphologically distinct 
organ inclosing the entire ascocarp than that it may result in an 
endogenous development of the hymenium. This being so, the 
closest homology to the Helvellinean veil is to be found, not in the 
Pezizineae, but in the Baeomyces group of the disco-lichens. This is 
adduced as evidence of relationship between these groups. 
3. The fertile systems of Cudonia lutea and Spathularia velutipes 
appear at an early stage in the history of the fructification as 
threads which have been called ‘‘generative hyphae.’ These 
hyphae proliferate with the other tissues of the ascocarp, and at 
