On the Sexuality and Development of the Ascocarp 
in Lachnea stercorea, Pers. 
BY 
H. C. I. FRASER, B.Sc, F.L.S. 
Assistant Lecturer in Botany , Royal Holloway College , University of Lomion. 
With Plates XXIX and XXX, 
HE recent discovery in Humaria granulata (Blackman and Fraser (4)) 
JL of a reduced type of fertilization, brought about by the fusion in pairs 
of the nuclei of the female coenogamete, rendered advisable the investigation 
of other related forms with a view to ascertaining whether such a process 
be of common occurrence. 
Various Discomycetes, growing on wood and on dung, were therefore 
examined, and a well-developed ascogonium was found in Lachnea stercorea. 
Lachnea stercorea , Pers. (=Peziza stercorea , Pers.), is a small orange 
Discomycete, occurring during the winter and spring on cow-dung. It is 
about 4 mm. in diameter, and is furnished with numerous long hairs. The 
material used was always allowed to develop upon its natural substratum, 
as in view of the conflicting results obtained by Harper (17) and Dangeard 
( 8 ) on Pyronenia conjlnens , it seemed wiser to avoid any unnatural con- 
ditions in dealing with a case of doubtful or reduced sexuality. 
Methods. Material was fixed in chromacetic acid and in various 
strengths of Flemming’s fluid, Flemming’s weaker fluid, diluted with an equal 
volume of water, being found the most satisfactory. Sections were usually 
cut 5 /x in thickness, and were stained either with Flemming’s triple 
stain or with Heidenhain’s iron haematoxylin, followed by eosin. This 
stain proved very successful. The slide after treatment with haematoxylin 
was covered with a fairly strong solution of eosin in clove oil, which 
was washed off after a few seconds with clove oil, followed by cedar oil. 
The cell walls of the ascocarp were by these means stained bright red, 
and the definition of the nuclei was also enhanced. Preparations mounted 
in Canada Balsam sometimes faded rapidly, but they kept well in Damar 
Lac or in Gumthus. 
[Annals of Botany, Vol. XXI. No. LXXXIII. July, 1907.] 
