4 6 



INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF FUNGI 



specialised branch of the mycelium, which is thicker than the 

 rest, is always to be found in close proximity to certain fila- 

 ments, the short curved branches of which rest their ex- 

 tremities on the turgid branch first named, and which is termed 

 the vermiform body or scolecite. At the point where the^e 

 two organs meet there is a circular perforation, and one of the 

 cells appears to transfer to the other a portion of its contents. 

 The scolecite is stated to be the rudiment of the fertile cup, to 



become septate, and to 

 collect around itself 

 other filaments which 

 grow and develop into 

 a perfect cup (Fig. 26). 

 This process is reported 

 to have taken place in 

 Ascobolus furfuraceus 

 and in Pyronema om- 

 phalodes, and it is as- 

 sumed to be general 

 throughout all the fleshy 

 Discomycetes. It is 

 very evident that such 

 a conclusion cannot be 

 accepted, so that the 

 above remarks must 

 illustrating the nearest 

 observers have obtained 



Fig. 26. — Scolecite. After De Bary. 



be received as historical, and as 



approach which some of the best 



towards establishing sexuality in the higher Fungi, such as 



Hymenomycetes and Ascomycetes. 



The Gasteromycetal Fungi also include a small family in 

 which the receptacle assumes a cup shape, especially in the 

 genera Cyathus and Crucibulum ; but here again there is great 

 divergence in the character of the fructification. In the latter 

 genera the cups are at first covered with a tympanum or 

 membranaceous veil, and when this is ruptured, are seen to 

 contain a small number of lentil -shaped bodies, which are 

 attached by a slender elastic cord to the inner surface of the 

 cup. These are the peridiola which enclose spores produced 

 upon basidia within the firm interior (Fig. 27). 



