ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
633 
and of the oleaginous globule, or the new character of the protoplasm 
hides them from the observer. A little later several nuclei are to be 
found in the protoplasm between the oleaginous globule and the 
membrane. 
Hemiasci and Ascomycetes.* — From an investigation of the history 
of development of a very large number of Basidiomycetes and Ascomy- 
cetes, Dr. O. Brefeld has arrived at the conclusion that there is a much 
closer affinity between these two groups than has generally been sup- 
posed, the sole constant distinction between the two being the formation 
of spores within asci in the latter. The examination of 400 species of 
Ascomycetes has led him to the conclusion that the so-called pollinode 
(antherid) and carpogone, as well as the trichogyne, of lichens, are not 
true sexual organs, and that the so-called spermatia (pollinoids) are 
simply very small conids, which can be made to germinate. The only 
reproductive organs in the Ascomycetes are non-sexual spores, conids, 
chlamydospores, and ascospores. The ascus is derived from the many- 
spored sporange of the lower alga-like fungi, just as the basid is from a 
one-spored sporangiophore. There is, however, a sharp distinction to 
be drawn between the true Ascomycetes (Exoasci and Carpoasci) and the 
Hemiasci ( Ascoidea , Thelebolus , Protomyces). 
The author then proceeds to describe the experiments by which he 
succeeded in causing the “ spermatia ” of the true Ascomycetes to ger- 
minate. Among the Pyrenomycetes this occurred in Ophionectria 
scolecospora sp. n., Polystigma , and in many Trichosphaeriacese, espe- 
cially in the stromatic Sphaeriaceae, as in numerous species of Xylaria 
and Hypoxylon. Similar results were obtained with Hysterium pulicare 
(Hysteriaceae) and with many Discomycetes. 
The conids which are so characteristic of Fungi are regarded by 
Dr. Brefeld as having been acquired when the algal ancestors of the 
FuDgi took to a terrestrial mode of life and became Fungi ; they are 
derived from one-spored sporanges in which the formation of the endo- 
genous spore has been suppressed. Asci and basids have a common 
origin in the sporanges of the lower Fungi. 
The fructification of the Hemiasci approaches that of the Phycomy- 
cetes, while the vegetative condition agrees more closely with that of the 
typical Ascomycetes. The new genus and species Ascoidea rubescens is 
described, as is the development of Protomyces and Thelebolus. 
Among true Ascomycetes, the Exoasci include only the genera 
Endomyces , Taphrina, and Exoascus, and the new genus and species 
Ascocorticium albidum. The development of Endomyces is described in 
detail. The author regards the Saccharomycetes not as Ascomycetes, 
but as a stage in the development of some higher form of Fungi which 
cannot at present be determined. 
Intoxicating Rye.| — M. E. Prillieux describes the phenomena 
attending the eating of bread made from a certain sample of rye, in a 
* ‘Unters. aus d. Gesammtgebiete d. Mykologie,’ Heft 9; Munster, 1891, 156 pp. 
and 4 pis. See Bot. Centralbl., xlvi. (1891) pp. 321 and 350. Cf. this Journal, 1890, 
p. 368. 
f Bull. Soc. Bot. France, xxxviii. (1891) pp. 205-8; and Comptes Rendus, cxii. 
(1891) pp. 894-6. 
