208 



MONOGRAPH OF THE LABOULBEXIACE^E. 



all cases the primary appendage is originally a terminal structure, developed at least 

 in part, often entirely, from the terminal spore segment, which is as a rule distinctly 

 smaller than the basal, and never under any circumstances concerned in producing any 

 portion of the true receptacle. While this terminal character of the primary appen- 

 dage is often obscured, as in Zodiomyces, Rhachomyces and other genera, it is in many 

 cases sufficiently evident ; for example in such instances as Stigmatomyces (Plate I, 

 figs. 2-13), Cantharomyces (Plate VII), and the like. In the genus Rhachomyces 

 the primary appendage is represented by the single small bristle at the very base of 

 the whole series of appendages, which are thus nearly all secondary and quite different 

 in origin from the originally terminal primary one. Again, in Zodiomyces the origi- 

 nally terminal primary appendage is soon sloughed off, its place being taken by a 

 multitude of secondary ones, also quite different in origin. 



Although they are very important from a systematic point of view, it would be 

 quite superfluous in the present connection to enter into any detailed description of 

 the many variations of form and structure which the appendages, both primary and 

 secondary, exhibit ; and further details should be sought in the special descriptions of 

 the genera. It is sufficient for the present purpose to say that the appendages, using 

 the term to include both primary and secondary, may be solitary or very numerous: 

 greatly elongated or consisting merely of single short cells ; simple or branched in a 

 great variety of ways, either sympodially or monopodially, or more or less irregularly ; 

 hyaline or deeply colored ; stiff and bristle-like or flexuous and slender ; in short, as 

 may be seen by a glance at the accompanying plates, showing wide variations as to 

 minor details even in nearly related forms. 



The sterile appendages, or the sterile portions if such are present of fertile appen- 

 dages, which are always more or less filamentous and composed of successive cells 

 placed end to end, may become very highly developed, forming a dense tuft which is 

 often much more conspicuous than the main body of the plant itself. The function of 

 such highly developed sterile branches is doubtless primarily that of protection for the 

 delicate trichogyne, which is subsequently developed, and they may, perhaps, have a 

 further office in facilitating the fertilization of this organ by holding around it a drop 

 of water, which is usually found at times condensed on the surface of the hosts, the 

 majority of which are apt to hide by day, at least, in cool moist situations. It might 

 be supposed that since these sterile portions of the appendages extend, in many cases, 

 beyond or around the tip of the perithecium, that they were of some assistance in 

 the dissemination of the spores; but it is a curious fact that the latter, despite their 

 generally viscous nature, are only in exceptional cases found adherent to any portion 



