Fig. 106.—Taphrina alni incanæ on the Alder (nat. size).
Series 2. Carpoasci.
The Carpoasci are Ascomycetes, whose asci are enclosed in fruit-bodies, i.e. ascocarps. The accessory means of reproduction are free conidiophores (Fig. [109]), conidial-layers (Fig. [122]), conidiocarps (Fig. [120] D, E, etc.), chlamydospores and oidia.
For the different methods of distributing the ascospores, see p. [92].
Of the six families of the Carpoasci, the first three—Gymnoascales, Perisporiales, and Pyrenomycetes—are ANGIOCARPIC (that is, the ascocarp remains closed throughout its existence, and does not dehisce when ripe); the fourth and fifth families (Hysteriales and Discomycetes), on the other hand, are HEMIANGIOCARPIC (the ascocarp, here also called an apothecium, is closed in the early stages, but opens at the commencement of ripening and exposes a hymenium of crowded asci); the family of Helvellales has probably GYMNOCARPIC (or hemiangiocarpic) fruit-bodies.
Family 1. Gymnoascales.
The ascocarps are surrounded by a spongy and incomplete envelope. One order, poor in species.
Order Gymnoascaceæ.—The ascocarps are borne sometimes solitarily, or sometimes coiled together. Gymnoascus reessii forms small bodies about 1 mm. in diameter on old horse-dung, which at first are white and afterwards orange-red.—Ctenomyces serratus lives on the old feathers in birds’ nests.
Family 2. Perisporiales.
The ascocarps are surrounded by a complete envelope without any opening: the fruit-bodies are cleistocarpic; the spores are only liberated after the disintegration of the fruit-bodies. Paraphyses are wanting. The two first orders have in addition the means of reproduction by conidia.