18 A LABORATORY MANUAL OF BOTANY 
structure of a single hypha. Draw. Note rhizoids (root- 
like structures) at the lower end of some of the upright 
stalks. What is their function? Draw. 
Tn case the mold is young, the plants are usually divided 
into groups. What is the connection between them? How 
may new groups arise? 
Reproduction.—(a) Asexual reproduction. Note upright 
stalks, sporangia, and spores. Are the contents of the 
spores well protected? Can you approximate the number 
of spores in one sporangium? Draw sporangium and 
spores. Determine how the sporangium develops. 
(b) Sexual reproduction—Sometimes, though very infre- 
quently, Mucor reproduces itself in another way. The tips 
of two branches come in contact, and each cuts off an end- 
cell. These cells unite, thus forming a very heavy-walled 
spore, which eventually forms a new Mucor plant. Dis- 
cover and draw stages in this process. What kind of spore 
is this? How does this kind of reproduction compare with 
that of Spirogyra? 
General questions.—How is the mold nourished? What 
is the advantage in growing the mold under a glass cover? 
Why are molds so frequently found in dark, damp places? 
Why do the sporangia stand up in the air instead of being 
embedded in the mycelium? How do you account for the 
fact that new molds arise readily wherever there is good 
nutrient material? Look for molds as you go about, note 
where they grow, and bring into the laboratory for observa- 
tion as many kinds as you may find. 
