the Ascocarp in Monascus. 183 
that such nuclei are only found in young, actively growing 
hyphae, where dividing nuclei must certainly occur, and that 
the limits of the nuclei in these regions are very difficult to 
determine. It is noteworthy, also, that when the conspicuous 
‘ nucleolus ’ disappears from a nucleus, the latter becomes 
more definite, and can be distinguished as a sharply marked 
spherical body with a reticulate network. If this view is 
correct, we have in Monascus another instance of active 
nuclear division preceding the formation of male and female 
gametes, so characteristic of the Oomycetes and Pyronema . 
During the formation of the first few investing hyphae, 
nothing of peculiar interest is seen, except that the central cell 
increases considerably in size (see Fig. 16). During this time 
it stains conspicuously, and can easily be seen. As the 
development of the investing hyphae proceeds, the central cell 
still goes on increasing in size, but stains less and less con- 
spicuously, until at last, in many cases, all sight of it is lost. 
Both sections and teased material at this stage represent 
apparently the ascocarp as possessing only numerous small 
hyphae (see Figs. 17 and 18). This appearance, however, is 
misleading. For in the teased material careful focussing 
reveals the fact that the hyphae apparently within the asco- 
carp are in reality some of the investing hyphae, which, 
staining deeply, appear to be within the ascocarp, though they 
are actually merely in view through the unseen central cell. 
This illusion is heightened by the fact that the latter is ovoid 
or spherical, so that at every plane some of the investing 
hyphae are sharply in focus. In the sections it is impossible 
to get the ascocarps cut sufficiently thin to show a section of 
the central cell only with a ring of investing hyphae around it. 
Owing to their small size at this stage some of the investing 
hyphae either above or below it are sure to be included in the 
section, and these produce the illusion. 
Such appearances cease when the investing hyphae reach 
the swelling and flattening stage, the continued growth of the 
central cell also aiding the alteration. The investing hyphae 
above and below the central cell now become much more 
