720 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
sporiaceae). The process in Peziza vesiculosa lie regards as typical of 
that which takes place in the whole group. The asci are developed from 
oosperms which result from the anastomosing of conjugating filaments 
or gametes, each of which has a single nucleus. In Exoascus deformans 
the cells (oosperms) from which the asci are produced contain two 
nuclei ; otherwise the process is the same. In the Discomycetes ex- 
amined the oogone rests on two mycelial filaments. In the Pyreno- 
mycetes it arises on the stroma in the form of a simple papilla. The 
oogones always contain two nuclei. 
The ascus of the Ascomycetes is analogous to the promycele of the 
IJredineae and Ustilagineae. The two organs have the same origin in an 
oosperm ; they behave in the same way during the division of the sexual 
nucleus. The only difference between the organs is a physiological one. 
In the Ascomycetes the embryos (ascospores) remain within the ascus ; 
while in the IJredineae and Ustilagineae they become external, budding 
out on the surface of the promycele. In the one case they are endo- 
genous, in the other exogenous. 
Sclerote-forming Species of Penicillium.* — Dr. C. Wehmer classifies 
the known species of Penicillium into five groups with respect to the 
mode of fructification, viz. : — (1) Those which form conids only (most 
of the known species) ; (2) With soft fructification, and of comparatively 
homogeneous structure, without any special cortex or long period of rest 
(P. luteum, aureum ) ; (3) With perithece-like fructification, and a special 
thin cortex (P. insigne) ; (4) With hard fructification or sclerote, which 
developes only after a period of rest (P. glaucum ) ; (5) With a hard 
sclerote which undergoes no further development (P. italicum sp. n.). 
The new species, found on oranges and causing their decay, is described 
in detail. It follows from the above that the character of the fructifica- 
tion cannot be relied on as a generic diagnosis. 
Sclerote in Alder-fruit.f — Herr R. Maul describes a sclerote formed 
in the fruit of the alder by an unknown species of fungus. He states 
that sclerotes may be either pure saprophytes, facultative parasites, or 
necessary parasites. The only sclerotes at present fully known belonging 
to the last class are those of Claviceps (ergot), and of the berries of 
Vaccinium. To this class belongs also the new Sclerotinia Alni , the 
infection of which must probably have taken place in the ovary. It 
differs from other sclerotes in Ihe cortex and medulla consisting of a 
nearly homogeneous mycele, the hard pericarp of the alder-fruit affording 
it that protection during its resting period which is given to other 
sclerotes by their hard cortex. It presents also the peculiarity, shared 
at present only by Sclerotinia Fuclceliana, of the conids being formed 
directly from the sclerote, without any further form of fructification. 
Wine- Yeasts. t — MM. P. Hautefeuille and A. Perrey have investigated 
the yeasts that produce fermentation of wine (Cotes de Nuit and Beaune). 
They may be divided into three groups. The first group consists of 
apiculate yeasts which produce fermentation at the outset, and in some 
cases complete it. The second consists of ellipsoidal yeasts more active 
* Hedwigia, xxxiii. (1894) pp. 211-14. f Tom. cit., pp. 215-28 (2 pis.). 
X Comptes Rendus, cxviii. (1894) pp. 589-91. 
