P TREN0MT0ETE8. 



291 



falls to the ground, where it usually remains till the follow- 

 ing spring, when its hyphse hegin a new growth. As a re- 

 sult of this new growth several little branches shoot up, and 

 each forms a globular head (the receptacle) at its summit 

 (A, Fig. 199). Large numbers of flask-shaped perithecia 

 form in the cortical region of the receptacles {B, Fig. 199, cp); 

 each contains many elongated asci, which rise from the bot- 



Fig. 199. — Claviceps purpurea. A, a sclerotinm (ergot), c, forming the receptacles 

 (sporocarpe ?), ct. 5, loiigiiudinal section of a receptacle, showing the perithecia, cp. 

 O, a perithecium, with tlie surrounding tissue ; cp, its orifice ; Ay, hyi)hBe of the re- 

 ceptacle ; sh, outer layer of the receptacle. D, a single ascus, ruptured, permitting 

 the elongated narrow ascospores, sp^ to escape. A and £ moderately, C and 2> high- 

 ly magnified. — After Tulasne. 



torn of the cavity (C, Fig. 199), and themselves contain 

 several greatly attenuated ascospores (D, Fig. 199, sp). 

 The ascospores germinate under proper conditions, and pro- 

 duce sphacelia, thus completing the round of life. 



385. — Thus far no sexual organs have been found, but 

 from the general similarity of these fungi to the Pezizce and 

 other Helvellaeese, it may be surmised that sexual organs and 



