230 Mas see. — A Monograph of the Geoglosseae. 
that I cannot accept his interpretation of the process for 
the following reasons : — 
During a microscopic examination of the species of Penio- 
phora and Hymenochaete undertaken some years ago, I was 
very much struck by repeatedly observing the metuloids or 
spine-like hymenial appendages to be furnished with a 
bifurcate base. Failing to offer a satisfactory explanation 
of this curious structure, the matter passed from my mind 
until the appearance of Dangeard’s figures illustrating the 
conjugation of his gametes. Returning to the subject, I found 
that in Peniophora velutina the spines certainly did originate 
from the fusion of two distinct hyphae, but the conjugation 
occurs deep down in the interwoven substance of the subi- 
culum, and is altogether too minute to show with certainty 
the fusion of the nuclei to form Dangeard’s so-called oospore. 
It may here be stated that Cooke has, years ago, described 
and figured 1 the metuloids of Peniophora with a bifurcate 
base. I have also ascertained that the spines in the hymenium 
of Hymenochaete , Veluticeps , and Geoglossum hirsutum originate 
from the fusion of two hyphae. Considering, as already 
stated, that the gigantic cells known as cystidia , present in the 
hymenium of numerous species belonging to the Agaricineae, 
are homologous with the metuloids of Peniophora and Geo- 
glossum, these were examined, and in Coprinus atramentarius 
showed very clearly the whole of the process as described by 
Dangeard, the approach of two independent hyphae until 
their apical cells were in contact, the fusion of these two cells, 
also of the two nuclei, finally the growth of the gigantic cell 
or cystidium from the oogonium, and the wandering of the 
nucleus into the cystidium (Fig. 91). 
This peculiar structure of the cystidia being supported on 
two ‘gametes’ has also been previously recorded and figured 
by W. G. Smith 2 , who writes as follows : — ‘ In conclusion, 
I will advert to the way in which the cystidia in Gomphidius 
are borne. In many instances, if not in all, they arise from 
1 Grevillea, VIII, 21, PI. 125, f. 16, 1879. 
2 Ibid. X, 79, Fig. J., 1881. 
