EXPULSION OF ASCOSPORES 
Statement it seems highly probable that the structure of the perithecial 
necks has much to do with the conduction of the asci to the ostiole 
where the expulsion takes place. It has been pointed out by Anderson 
(3) in his study of the structure of the perithecium that the periphyses 
of the neck "act as so many little springs" and press the asci back. 
It may be added that the ascus is also held in position and any back 
movement prevented by the periphyses which spring back after its 
passage through the neck. This function of the periphyses would 
explain the results obtained for spore expulsion when the perithecial 
necks are removed. The time required for the necks to regenerate 
varied from 3 to 5 days. 
AscospoRE Expulsion from Inverted Perithecia 
In considering ascospore expulsion one of the questions which 
very naturally presented itself was how the asci arrived at the end of 
the long neck. It was conceivable that detached asci might float to 
the top of the neck in the water with which it appears to be filled 
when expulsion is taking place. As a result of a study of the mor- 
phology of the perithecium Anderson (3) claims that the asci are 
forced to the ostiole as a result of expansion due to water absorption, 
and then that the supply is kept up by the growth and maturing of 
new crops. 
In order to determine whether ascospore expulsion would take 
place when the necks were pointing downward, two tests were made 
in which the bark bearing the stromata was placed in an inverted 
position. These two tests were as follows: 
On Jan. 11, 1913, a two-inch branch showing well-matured peri- 
thecial material, collected at Emilie, Pa., was soaked in tap water for 
20 minutes with the necks inverted. At the end of this time an object 
slide was adjusted to the under surface of the branch, so as to be 2-3 
mm. below the ostioles. The bark on the upper part of the branch 
was peeled off so that water could be injected between the wood and 
bark and be absorbed by the inverted perithecia below. The bark 
was kept moist and the test run for 8 days. Expulsion was light but 
was obtained on every day except one, the highest number of spots 
being 25. 
On Feb. 13, 1913, 6 flat pieces of bark from larger branches were 
treated similarly to the above tests except that wet blotting paper was 
