CASH AND HICK '. ON FOSSIL FUNGI. 
119 
The question now arises, What are these spherical bodies, 
and what relation or connection have they with the process 
of reproduction? Three hypotheses appear to us to be 
possible. They may be sporangia, which, when ripe, contain 
endogenously formed spores, similar to those of the common 
Mucor; or they may be zygospores formed by conjugation, 
as in the fungoid Zygospores; or, lastly, they may be 
oospores, which have resulted from the impregnation of an 
oogonium by an antheridium. 
The first hypothesis is rendered doubtful by the fact that 
the bodies are found within the tissue, through which the 
mycelium of the fungus ramified, while the sporangia of 
Mucor and allied genera, so far as we know them, are always 
aerial. Still further doubt is suggested by the habitat of the 
fungus and the nature of the hyphae, the Mucorini occurring 
chiefly on excreta and decaying substances, and having a 
mycelium composed of filaments that are normally aseptate. 
Between the second and third hypotheses we cannot decide 
with full confidence, owing to the absence of clear and unmis- 
takable characters in the bodies themselves. Considering 
the probabilities of the case, however, and having regard to 
the whole facies of the fungus, we strongly incline to the 
belief that they are oospores. 
Systematic Position. — From the above description it will 
be quite obvious to all who have any acquaintance with the 
characters by which the systematic position of Fungi are 
usually determined, that great difficulties are in the way of 
a satisfactory location of our specimen. At the same time, a 
review of the form and habit commonly assumed by the 
members of the various classes and orders of Fungi, seems to 
lead by a process of exclusion to the Pyrenomycetes, in which 
order the vegetative body partakes largely of the characters 
of our fossil form. If this be its true ordinal position, it 
must be referred to the sub-order Peronosporece, which 
