244 



INTRODUCTION TO CRTPTOGAMIG BOTANY. 



compound spores, either all the endochromes remain combined, 

 or they ultimately separate; but in each case, every endo- 

 chrome, if perfect, is capable of sending off one or more threads, 

 under the process of germination. 



Fig. 60. 



a. Sporophores, spicules, and spores of Agaricus ■velutinus. 



b. Ditto and urn-shaped process of A. hlandus, Berk. 



c. Ascus and naked spores springing from the same hymenium, in 

 Tympanis. All magnified. 



236. In the other case, as before, certain privileged threads 

 swell out, forming either bags or tubes, and the protoplasm, 

 without any formation of partitions or dissepiments, is resolved 

 after a time into a definite or indefinite mass of spores, often 

 eight, or multiples or measures of that number. This mode 

 of fructification is called ascigerous ; and it frequently happens 

 that in the fruit thus produced dissepiments are formed, as 

 before, thus multiplying the points at which mycelium can be 

 developed. It foUows almost as a consequence of this mode of 

 fructification, that the common mycelium of a Fungus may 



