321 
Coprophilous Fungi . 
tiated hyphae present in Mortierella Rostajinskii in originating 
at a point situated below the specialized reproductive portion 
of the Fungus — the point of origin common to protective 
structures in all Fungi. As to the homology of the single 
large cell, described and figured by Brefeld (5), at the base 
of the ascus in Thelebolus with the sporangiophore in Mort - 
ierella , we may state that an examination of serial microtome 
sections of Thelebolus does not support this view. The sections 
show that there exists, not a single cell as stated by Brefeld, 
but a group or row of large cells representing the ascogonium 
of the Pezizeae. Owing to the exceedingly minute size of the 
young ascophore, orientation for the purpose of sectioning 
is practically impossible. Our sections, although not enabling 
us to figure the organ in question in detail, prove the existence 
of some multicellular structure resembling an ascogonium. 
Brefeld states that only one ascus is present in an ascophore, 
and that when two or more asci appear to be present this 
is due to the growing together of contiguous originally dis- 
tinct ascophores. In many ascophores of Thelebolus only 
one ascus is present ; serial microtome sections, further, 
show that contiguous ascophores may adhere to each other ; 
other sections also show that from one to four asci may be 
present in the same ascophore. In some species of Ryparobius 
the asci are constantly very few in number, and the structure 
of the ascophore in such cases is identical with the ascophores 
of Thelebolus containing several asci. It may be pointed out, 
also, that in this matter of the variability of the number of 
asci Thelebolus resembles the genus Sphaerotheca ( Erysi - 
phaceae ), where as a rule only a single ascus is found in 
each perithecium, but where in some instances two or three 
asci occur. In such cases in both Thelebolus and Sphaerotheca 
the asci are much smaller than the normal solitary ascus. 
In conclusion, we fail to detect any evidence of affinity with 
the Zygomycetes , but on the other hand consider Thelebolus 
as very closely allied, if even distinct as a genus, from 
Ryparobius . In this view we are supported by Heimerl (17), 
Schroeter (35), and Rehm (31). 
Y 
