FUNGI 



307 



eventually closed by the formation of a transverse wall in the protube- 

 rance. Cross-links, loops, &c., are frequently formed between branches 

 of the same hypha, or between originally distinct hyph:e, by the resorp- 

 tion of the membranes at the point of contact. The coherence of the 

 compound thallus is most commonly effected by the more or less dense 

 interweaving of the hyphs, and by the cementing of them together in 

 many cases by an intercellular substance. The union of the component 

 hyphce may proceed so far, and the conditions of pressure, &c., be so 

 favourable, that a tissue 



is formed resembling the 

 parenchyme of higher 

 plants. Being thug diffe- 

 rent from it in mode of 

 formation, the tissue in 

 question is XAXia&^pseudo- 

 parenchyme. 



The form of hypha 

 ■ described is not universal 

 among fungi. Sprouting, 

 as it is called, is cha- 

 racteristic of the thallus 

 of the yeast-fungus Sac- 

 charomyces, and it occurs 

 in certain stages of other 

 fungi, such as Mucor. 

 This process consists in 

 the production of ovoid 

 or globular cells, by means 

 of excrescences which 

 remain connected by a 

 ■narrow base with the pa- 

 Tent cell, and are eventu- 

 ally cut off at or before 

 maturity by a cross-parti- 

 tion. This process, on being repeated again and again undisturbed, 

 ■exhibits in the result the appearance of a copiously-branching hypha 

 formed of bead-like cells. This connection, however, is very easily 

 broken, and the usual appearance presented is that of small aggregates 

 of sprouting cells. 



Cell-contents. — The cells of fungi are characterised rather by the 

 absence of certain cell-contents than by the presence of peculiar sub- 

 stances. The absence of chlorophyll and of starch-grains is most note- 



FlG. z68. — Saccharomyces cerevisice Meyen. a, single cell 

 ot beer -yeast ; b, c, stages of sprouting : d^ colony of sprout- 

 cells : ^, cell With four ascospores ; f, one with two ; ^, group 

 of ascospores with one sprouting : k, further development of 

 a ."iimilar group Qi X 750, the others much more). (£— A 

 after Reess.) 



