the Ascocarp in Monascus . 197 
hyphae it is still possible in a few cases (see Fig. 19) to find 
a structure corresponding to that next described by Went, 
viz. a large sporangium-like cell invested by a wall of small 
hyphae. The resemblance then apparently would cease for a 
time were the two forms studied by series of microtome 
sections, owing to the formation of the internal hyphae as 
described above, although when viewed in the whole condition 
no difference would be seen. Finally, at the time of spore- 
formation the similarity of structure is again noticeable. The 
apparent angularity of the spores within the perithecium de- 
scribed by Went is very clearly to be seen in many cases, but 
I am convinced that the angularity is due to the optical effect of 
the arrangement of the spores under very high magnification. 
This can easily be verified by transverse sections in which the 
spores are then seen to be of the normal oval shape. The 
liberation of the spores is accomplished in each case by the 
breaking down of the perithecial walls. 
After this analysis of the similarity of the two forms at 
different phases of the development, it will be admitted that 
there are strong reasons for supposing that the fungus which 
I have described here is closely related to M. purpureus . 
It yet remains to be shown, however, how the account of the 
sporangial method of spore-formation can be reconciled with 
the account given above of the formation of the spores in asci. 
That the latter method is undoubtedly the one made use of 
by the ‘ Samsu ’ fungus is obvious, as the accompanying 
figures show. Is there any possibility that it may also occur 
in M. purpureus , and that the earlier authors have over- 
looked it? 
It has been shown earlier that the ripe perithecium bears 
an exceedingly strong resemblance to an invested sporangium. 
It has further been mentioned that the swelling of the central 
cell, the c sporangium ’ of previous authors, can be traced for 
some considerable period during the development of the 
investing hyphae, and also that its further behaviour, when 
watched in the living condition, is then lost sight of owing to 
difficulties of observation. This is also admitted by the 
