the Ascocarp in Monas cus . 189 
balsam the central cell and its contained structures shrink 
away from the investing hyphae, so that it can be seen that no 
outgrowth from these into the central cell has given rise to 
the ascogenous hyphae. Moreover, it would be contrary to 
every analogy if they had such an origin. Another possible 
cause of the curious behaviour of the central cell might be 
that ascogenous hyphae are produced at one point of its 
surface, and these, during growth, press against the investing 
hyphae so as to force their bases into the central cell and 
thus displace it, so that it surrounds them. But evidence is 
against this view. Nowhere can the ascogenous hyphae be 
seen to touch the investing hyphae, and their tips are as 
a matter of fact directed towards the centre of the central 
cell, so that during growth they tend to push themselves in 
or their bases outwards. An actual internal development is 
also quite out of the question. An investigation of young 
ascocarps shows that the nest invariably arises at some point 
on the surface of the central cell. 
It is highly probable that the ascogenous hyphae have their 
origin from a single outgrowth of the central cell. I have 
never seen a case in which two nests of hyphae have been 
formed in the same central cell, and, as far as can be ascer- 
tained by careful examination of the youngest nests, they 
appear to be composed of a single coiled unbranched or 
slightly branched hypha. Later this branches very freely. 
It is difficult to see why the first ascogenous hypha should 
remain in close contact with the central cell and eventually 
become enclosed by it. One would naturally expect to find 
it growing out through one of the interstices of the investing 
hyphae, as in the case of Pyronema . Perhaps the same 
attraction which causes the investing hyphae to grow closely 
applied to the central cell holds good for it also. Un- 
doubtedly its behaviour results in the functions of protec- 
tion and nutrition being very efficiently performed for the 
ascogenous hyphae by the central cell and the investing 
hyphae. 
