THAXTER. — 



MONOGRAPH OF TH 10 LA MOL LHIOX I A( 10.10. 



445 



KAINOMYCES Thaxter. 

 Proc. Am. Acad. Arts and Sci., Vol. XXXVII, p. 44. June, 1901. 



Receptacle broad and flattened; consisting of a single basal cell and typical foot, above which the 

 successive cells become variably divided by longitudinal septa into transverse cell-rows or tiers: a distal 

 appendicular portion more or less definitely distinguished and consisting of superposed cells, the lowest 

 of which alone become longitudinally divided, all producing laterally antheridial (?) branches: several 

 of the tiers below this appcndiculate portion growing out. laterally at right angles to the main axis of the 

 receptacle, on one or both sides, to form indeterminate perithecial branches consisting of superposed cells 

 and terminated by solitary perithecia. The peritheciuin of peculiar form, with six wall-cells in each row 

 in addition to the lip-cells; the base of the trichogyne persistent in the form of a conical projection, asso- 

 ciated in the type with a peculiar appendage inserted close beside it and shaped like a duck's bill. 



It has proved impossible from an examination of the material available of this extraordinary form, 

 to determine the character of the antheridia; and it is therefore placed provisionally near Zodiomyces 

 and Euzodiomyccs, although the resemblance which the single species bears to these genera may prove 

 a superficial one. The distal appcndiculate portion of the receptacle resembles the corresponding struc- 

 ture in the species of the two last mentioned genera as well as the so-called main appendage of Ceratomyces 

 and its nearest allies. A similar comparison might also be made with the appendage of Sphaleromyces 

 and its allies which, however, differ in possessing a few-celled receptacle. 



The perithecia in the Type are extremely peculiar, both from their form and their two curious ap- 

 pendages, the smaller of which is evidently the indurated base of the trichogyne, and on account of their 

 short stout form and the numerous members which compose the rows of wall-cells. The indeterminate 

 cellular stalks of the perithecia have no parallel in any other genus, and although they may be called fertile 

 branches, appear to represent stalk-cells which are distally subject to active intercalary division. How 

 such a modification should be of advantage, it is difficult to see, since the growth of this branch carries 

 the trichogyne far away from the assumed region of sperm-cell formation. The fact that the perithecia 

 appear frequently to abort owing to lack of fertilization, would indicate that this relation is on the con- 

 trary a disadvantage as compared with the conditions usually observed, in which the trichogyne is closely 

 associated with the sperm-cell producing structures. 



Kainomyces Isomali Thaxter. Plate LXXI/figs. 20-22. 

 Proc. Am. Acad. Arts and Sci., Vol. XXXVII, p. 45. June, 1901. 



Receptacle variably developed below the distal appcndiculate portion, sometimes very broad, often 

 much narrower: the cells above the basal cell becoming broader and flattened, and soon divided longi- 

 tudinally by one or more septa, nearly hyaline and broadly edged wholly or in part below, especially on 

 the posterior side, with contrasting brownish black, which may involve the whole of the cell, except the 

 transverse septa; the blackened area usually characteristically indented above, and sometimes involving- 

 all but the uppermost tiers. Perithecial branches variably developed, the free portion curving upward, 

 and consisting of from about twelve to thirty-five superposed hyaline cells, which are more or less flattened, 

 usually separated by slight constrictions, the distal one similar to the others and followed directly by the 

 basal cells of the peritheciuin. Perithecium becoming tinged with pale amber-brown, usually short, 

 stout and broadly elliptical, often not distinguished from its basal cells; the distal end abruptly rounded, 

 the pore subtended by a tooth-like outgrowth, the persistent base of the trichogyne, half as long as and 

 paler than an appendage beside it, which bears a slight resemblance to a duck's bill, is dark clear brown, 

 somewhat narrower distally and pale tipped, broader toward the base, where it is abruptly constricted 

 and hyaline. Spores about 30 X 3.5 Perithecia 72-80 X 40-50 fi exclusive of trichogynic append- 

 age, which measures 28-32 X 11 /<• Perithecial branch 100-253 /<. Receptacle 150-220 X 40-60 u. 

 Antheridial branches about 50 p.. Total length to tip of perithecium 250-460 /t. 



On Isomalus Conradti Fauvel. Derema, Usambara, East Africa. Berlin Museum, Xos. S47-84S. 



