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PLECTOMYCETES 



[CH. 



difficult to place; it seems almost inevitable to homologize it with an 

 antheridium, but the relation of a uninucleate antheridium to a multinucleate 

 female organ is by no means clear. Degeneration of the superfluous nuclei 

 as in Dipodascus might be postulated. For Dangeard, the structure is a 

 trophogone concerned only in nutrition and without sexual significance. 



The genus Monascus contains some five or six species, of which the most 

 fully investigated are M. purpureus and the form studied by Barker and 

 since named M. Barkeri by Dangeard. TIms species is used by the Chinese 

 for the manufacture of an alcoholic liquor known as Samsu. 



In both species there is an abundant mycelium bearing chains of 

 ovoid conidia; later it assumes a reddish tinge and fruits are formed; their 

 development may be traced with some readiness in hanging drop cultures. 

 Certain branches of the mycelium cut off each a small, terminal cell which 

 elongates and bends sideways to form the antheridium (fig. 34). A pro- 

 longation of the penultimate cell grows up alongside it and a trichogyne 



Fig. 34. Monascus Barkeri Dang.; development of oogonium, 

 trichogyne and antheridium, x 900; after Barker. 



and oogonium are cut off by transverse walls. The oogonium contains four 

 to six, and the antheridium three or four nuclei. According to Dangeard 

 the antheridial (trophogone) nuclei degenerate hi situ but other authors find 

 that fusion takes place between the antheridium and trichogyne and that the 

 male nuclei travel through the trichogyne to the oogonium (fig. 35) where 

 they pair with the female nuclei. According to Schikorra, nuclear fusion 

 does not occur at this stage in M. purpureus but is postponed till the sexual 



