THALLOPHYTES: FUNGI 
269 
Erect sporophores arise from it in abundance, and at 
the top of each sporophore a globular sporangium is formed, 
within which are numerous small asexual spores (Figs. 235, 
FIG. 234. Diagram showing mycelium and sporophores of a common Mucor. 
MOORE. 
236). The sporangium wall bursts (Fig. 237), the light spores 
are scattered by the wind, and, falling upon a suitable sub- 
stratum, germinate and 
form new mycelia. 
evident that these 
It is 
asex- 
ual spores are not zoo- 
spores, for there is no 
water medium and swim- 
ming is impossible. This 
method of transfer being 
impossible, the spores are 
scattered by currents of 
air, and must be corre- 
spondingly light and pow- 
dery. They are usually 
spoken of simply as 
" spores," without any 
prefix. 
FIG. 235. Forming sporangia of Mucor, show- 
ing the swollen tip of the sporophore (A), 
and a later stage (B), in which a wall is 
formed separating the sporangium from 
the rest of the body. MOORE. 
