SPORE FORMATION IN PHILOCOPRA COERULEOTECTA 7 1 
of the nucleus may serve to bring about a balance of conditions in this 
respect. Even at the close of the series of divisions there is a com- 
paratively large proportion of cytoplasm as compared with the volume 
of the nuclei in the cell, but this is soon remedied by the delimitation 
of the spores, which brings about a relation between the two which 
appears more balanced from our general observations on nuclei. 
It is apparent from the figures of the nuclei at various stages in 
the development of the ascus that the nuclei, although entering on 
an apparently resting stage at the close of each successive division, 
do not undergo a period of growth sufficient to bring them to the size 
of the resting mother nucleus in any case. With every increase in 
number, there is a decrease in the size of the nuclei. The contents 
appear to be similar, but each part is proportionally smaller in size. 
The divisions apparently follow one another so rapidly that there is 
no chance for much increase in size before a new division intervenes. 
It is interesting that the primary nucleus of the ascus remained in a 
resting condition while the cytoplasm increased to such an extent. 
This condition may be in some way related to the formation of kino- 
plasmic substance. The close of the division period leaves the ascus 
with abundant kinoplasm, most of that of the astral rays going toward 
the formation of the spore membranes. 
There is no marked differentiation of spore-plasm in this form 
such as is found in very many of the Pezizas. Although the nuclei 
are located in a definite part of the ascus, the general cytoplasm of 
that region is not distinctly different from that of the remainder of 
the ascus. That part of the cytoplasm which immediately surrounds 
the nucleus does not show a remarkable increase during the rapid 
growth of the ascus up to the delimitation of the spores. Its dense 
finely granular appearance is apparent in the various stages of develop- 
ment. Most of this region is included within the spore after its 
delimitation. 
The intimate relation between the epiplasm and the spores is 
conspicuous. It is probable that the epiplasm plays a very significant 
role in the feeding of the spores during their rapid growth after delimi- 
tation. The adjacent spores are not crowded together. They have a 
definite relation to each other and are surrounded by epiplasm. 
Whether or not the epiplasm plays any other part has not been 
determined. It would be interesting to learn whether it is concerned 
with the interrelation of the spores. It undoubtedly plays a part in 
