Fink: Nature and Classification of Lichens 247 



Hepaticae and the Class : Musci, lie in the vegetative structure, 

 the methods of reproduction being essentially the same in the two 

 groups. (C) Furthermore, it is probable (from the researches 

 of Baur and others) that the processes preceding the formation 

 of apothecia in the lichens, while similar in some respects to the 

 conditions shown by De Bary, and more recently by Blackman 

 and his students, in the Ascomycetes, also differ in important 

 details, notably in the great development of the trichogyne, and 

 the suggested functioning of the spermatia as male cells. This 

 subject, however, of the nature of the contents of the spermagonia 

 (or pycnidia) is too obscure to furnish the basis for argument on 

 either side. (D) According to the views here advanced the so- 

 called " Basidiolichens " should not be considered as true lichens, 

 since in these forms the algal cells are associated with the fruiting- 

 body, and not with the mycelium to form a thallus as in the 

 typical lichens. To sum up : The lichens are undoubtedly fungi 

 associated, probably parasitically, with algae. While being classi- 

 fied under the Series : Fungi, they should be placed in a class by 

 themselves, on account of the entire group being characterized by 

 a specialized vegetative body, the thallus. Lichenist, I, $?, 6, p. 



Quotation 14 



It is almost universally conceded that the spermogones, pycnides, 

 etc., of the lichen thallus are parasitic fungi. If this be true, 

 there is every reason to believe that the so-called fructification 

 (Apothecia) of lichens are likewise parasitical bodies. Between 

 the thecia of lichens and those of fungi there is said to be an 

 analogy or similarity. And so far as I know this is the only 

 ground for assumed relationship. The similarity ends there. 

 What then may we call the remainder of the highly differenced 

 thing dubbed as Lichen, when externally and internally it is differ- 

 ent from any known vegetable growth? I have long believed that 

 the thalli of the higher lichens are invariably reproduced vegeta- 

 tively, never from the spores of the so-called fruit. With regard 

 to the latter, I have at the same time held the opinion that if 

 these spores reproduced anything at all, it in all probability would 

 be merely other thecial bodies with a likeness to the parent. A 



