the As cocarp in Monascus. 173 
eating canal between the two hyphae (see Fig. 9). Secondly, 
in certain cases no fusion takes place and no ascocarp is 
developed ; but, nevertheless, a small papilla is developed on 
the antheridial branch between it and the closely applied 
ascogonium, or, in some cases, where the ascogonium only 
partially develops, at the place where the tip of the ascogonium 
would normally be (see Fig. 10). 
The exact moment of fusion is very difficult to determine 
in most cases, since the close contact between the two organs 
and their optical properties are such as to obscure almost 
completely the details of the process. I have never observed, 
either in the living state or in the fixed and stained material, 
a case of which it could be stated positively that fusion had 
occurred before the formation of the septum cutting off the 
ascogonium. I have, however, seen instances of undoubted 
fusion after the formation of the septum but before the 
occurrence of the next stage about to be described. It seems 
probable, therefore, that fusion succeeds the cutting off of 
the ascogonium, and is preliminary to and also necessary 
for the development of the subsequent stages. With regard 
to the necessity for fusion, I have never seen a developing 
ascocarp, in which the archicarp was still visible, that did not 
show perfectly clearly the existence of a fusion between the 
antheridial branch and the ascogonium. 
It should be mentioned here also that, while the fusion is 
practically invisible under a one-sixth inch objective and often 
under a one-twelfth inch oil immersion objective in the early 
stages of the developing ascocarp, it becomes easily visible 
later, when swelling and the degeneration of the contents of 
the antheridial branch and of the tip of the ascogonium occur. 
Positive proof of the existence of a fusion at quite an early 
stage is forthcoming, however, since I have seen granules pass 
from the ascogonium into the antheridial branch, and vice 
versa, in specimens in the stage now about to be described. 
This stage consists in the cutting off of a cell in the 
ascogonium by the formation of a septum across that organ 
between the place of fusion and the septum at its base 
