136 



DISCOMYCETES 



[CH. 



often divided into chambers, all of which communicate with the apical 

 opening. The asci are cylindrical and contain eight uniseriate spores (fig. 

 94«). The simplest species in fact resemble a nearly closed Peziza (fig. 

 9\b,c). 



In Stephensia and Pachyphloeus the hymenium is more elaborately con- 

 voluted ; the asci in Pachyphloeus are stouter, and the spores irregularly 

 biseriate. 



In Balsamia (figs. 95, 96) the asci are broadly oblong or subglobose; the 

 mature ascocarp is completely closed and surrounded by a pseudoparen- 

 chymatous sheath. The youngest ascocarps of B. platyspora which 



Fig. 95. Balsamia vulgaris Vitt.; after Tulasne. 



Fig. 96. Balsamia vulgaris Vitt. ; section 

 through hymenium ; after Tulasne. 



Fig. 97. Tuber rti/um Pico ; general view 

 of fertile region ; after Tulasne. 



