CRYPTOGAMS 



S.-.7 



branched stroma which attains a height of several centimetres. On the tips of the 

 branches the stroma gives rise only to conidia, while embedded in its central 

 portion it bears numerous peritheeia. 



Fig. 280. — Claviceps purpura*. A, Mycelial jhypha with conidia; B, ear of Rye with several ripe 

 sclerotia ; C, a sclerotium with stromata ; D, longitudinal section of a sclerotium showing 

 numerous peritheeia ; E, a single 'perithecium, more highly magnified ; F, ascus with eight 

 filiform spores ; G, a ruptured ascus with escaping spores ; H, a single spore. {A after 

 Brefeld ; C-H after Tulasne ; B photographed from nature. Officinal and poisonous.) 



Olavkxps purpurea, the Fungus of Ergot, is important on account of its officinal 

 value. It is parasitic in the young ovaries of different members of the Gramineae, 



