Fertilisation in Ascobolus furfuraceus Pers. 157 
In 1905, Claussen (5) investigated a species of Boudiera in 
which he found that the young archicarp consists of a stalk, fertile 
cell and trichogyne, and that after fertilization the ascogonium 
becomes multicellular, and gives rise to ascogenous hyphas. 
Previous to this investigation no cytological evidence of a sexual 
process had been obtained in the members of this group. 
In 1906, Blackman and Fraser (2) described a process of 
reduced fertilization in Fluinaria granulata ; in this form an 
antheridium is not found and the female nuclei fuse in pairs on the 
ascogonium. The authors suggest that a similar parthenogenetic 
fusion probably exists in such other forms as Ascobolus where an 
archicarp but no antheridium had been reported. 
A further investigation of Ascobolus furfuraceus, Pers, seemed 
therefore desirable, and was undertaken in the autumn of 1905, 
abundant material being obtained on cow dung. 
Two well-marked colour varieties were found, but they graded 
into each other, and were therefore used indiscriminately. No 
definite relation between the colour of the ascocarp and the nature 
of the substratum could be made out. 
Methods. 
All stages except the youngest were readily obtained on the 
natural substratum and such material was therefore employed 
throughout the research. 
Attempts were also made to obtain cultures on agar, but these 
proved unsuccessful and were ultimately abandoned. Material was 
collected at various times of the day, but was found to be most 
satisfactory when fixed about noon. 
Various fixing agents were used, but the best results were 
obtained with Flemming’s weaker fluid. Material was embedded 
through either chloroform or cedar oil. Sections were usually cut 
5 /a. in thickness, and were stained either with Flemming’s triple 
stain or with Heidenhain’s iron haematoxylin and a solution of 
eosin in clove oil (Fraser (7). 
Actual Observations. 
My cel in 111 and Chlamydospores. 
The cells of the vegetative mycelium are usually multinucleate, 
rich in protoplasm and as Harper (8) has observed characterised 
by the presence of granules on their transverse walls. 
Chlamydospores closely resembling those figured by Woronin 
(13) for Ascophanus pulcherrimus were frequently observed. 
