THE CARPOPHORE 



29 



Fig. 14. — Clav- 

 ate stroma of 

 Cordyceps. 



the fructifying surface is sufficiently raised above the soil to 

 attain its development (Fig. 14). The carpophores vary not only 

 in length for the same species, according to 

 circumstances, but also in form, according to the 

 species. In some it is simple, and in others 

 branched, but the receptacles are always densely 

 accumulated about the apices in this genus of 

 Cordyceps. Hence we recognise again that a 

 carpophore is a contrivance which is resorted to 

 in order to bring the fructification into the air 

 and light, and is lengthened or shortened in con- 

 formity with that object. In the genus Xylaria 

 the form of carpophore is similar, but its texture 

 different. The colour is normally black exter- 

 nally, white and corky within, and it is wholly 

 tough and hard. The species grow on putrid 

 wood and rotting leaves. In an allied genus, 

 Thamnomyces, the carpophore is very long and 

 thin, often like horse hair, running amongst dead leaves and 

 vegetable debris. 



It is notable how some of the simplest forms of carpophore 

 are repeated in different groups of Fungi far removed from 

 each other in structure. This is the 

 case where the whole Fungus is club- 

 shaped, as it is in Clavaria pistillaris, 

 and again, even as to colour, in Xylaria 

 involuta. Others of a smaller size, but 

 of a like form, will be found in Clavaria 

 ligula, Leptoglossum olivaceum ; Xylaria 

 rhopaloides ; Geoglossum hirsutum, and 

 Hypocrea ophioglossoides. 



No one can doubt, after tracing the 

 gradations of form in Xylaria, that the 

 spherical carpophores, not only in 

 Xylaria, but also in Daldinia, Glaziella, Sarcoxylon, and the 

 Sphaeroxylon section of Hypoxylon, are of the same character, 

 and have a similar purpose to the foregoing (Fig. 15). Possibly 

 the globose forms may primarily serve to expose the largest 

 surface of immersed receptacles to the light, rather than elevate 



Fiq. 15. — Globose stroma of 

 Hypoxylon. 



