2 1 I 
the A sc ocarp in Monascus. 
less definite layer, intermingled with and surrounded by the 
sterile hyphae, and eventually produce at their tips the elon- 
gated asci, the whole fructification having by this time 
assumed the characteristic cup like form. 
Comparing it with Monascus , the main point of difference 
from the latter is the occurrence of the sexual organs on 
distinct hyphae, which necessitates the formation of a tricho- 
gyne. The fusion between this and the antheridium corre- 
sponds with the fusion between the tip of the ascogonium and 
the antheridial branch in Monascus . The passage of male 
nuclei then takes place in both cases, followed also by the 
aggregation of the mixed sexual nuclei in the ascogonium. 
In both cases also the ascogonium is cut off from the 
antheridium by the formation of a wall ; in the case of Pyro- 
nema at the base of the trichogyne, and in the case of 
Monascus across the ascogonium just behind the place of 
fusion. The apical portion, i. e. the terminal cell, of the 
ascogonium in Monascus may be therefore considered as 
equivalent to the trichogyne of Pyronema. The nature of the 
fusion in both cases is very similar. The fusion is in no way 
complete as is the case, for example, where two hyphae fuse 
to form a zygospore. The two fusing structures maintain 
their individuality, and the opening between them is no more 
than a small pore, just sufficiently large enough to allow of 
the passage of nuclei. 
During the period of nuclear aggregation in Pyronema the 
fusions between the sexual nuclei occur. The occurrence of 
a similar period in Monascus makes it seem likely that the 
sexual nuclear fusions, which almost undoubtedly occur, take 
place during that time. At the end of this stage the asco- 
gonium in each instance puts out one or more branches, the 
ascogenous hyphae, which ramify to a greater or less extent 
and eventually produce asci. The investing hyphae in Pyro- 
nema are much more strongly developed than in Monascus , 
but in both cases the ascogonium itself is closely invested, 
differing in this point from the Gymnoascaceae. 
Thus, although Pyronema confluens differs from Monascus 
