Further evidence is wanted as to the nuclear history of these hyaline spores. In the case of the brown spores, which show the same thickening of the wall and restricted cell-cavity, though with a distinct median septum, nuclear division was observed by René Maire[689] before septation in one such species, _Anaptychia ciliaris_. II. SECONDARY SPORES A. REPRODUCTION BY OIDIA In certain conditions of nutrition, fungal hyphae break up into separate cells, each of which functions as a reproductive _conidium_ or _oidium_, which on germination forms new hyphae. Neubner[690] has demonstrated a similar process in the hyphae of the Caliciaceae and compares it with the oidial formation described by Brefeld[691] in the Basidiomycetes. The thallus of this family of lichens is granular or furfuraceous; it never goes beyond the _Lepra_ stage of development[692]. In some species it is scanty, in others it is abundant and spreads over large areas of the trunks of old trees. It is only when growth is especially luxuriant that oidia are formed. Neubner was able to recognize the oidial condition by the more opaque appearance of the granules, and under the microscope he observed the hyphae surrounding the gonidia gradually fall away and break up into minute cylindrical cells somewhat like spermatia in size and form. There was no question of abnormal or unhealthy conditions, as the oidia were formed in a freely fruiting thallus. The gonidia associated with the oidial hyphae also showed unusual vitality and active division took place as they were set free by the breaking up of the encircling hyphae. The germination of the oidia provides an abundance of hyphal filaments for the rapidly increasing algal cells, and there follows a wide-spread development of the lichen thallus. Oidial formation has not been observed in any other family of lichens. B. REPRODUCTION BY CONIDIA _a._ INSTANCES OF CONIDIAL FORMATION. It is remarkable that the type of asexual reproduction so abundantly represented in fungi by the large and varied group of the Hyphomycetes is practically absent in lichens. An exception is to be found in a minute gelatinous lichen that grows on soil. It was discovered by Bornet[693] and called by him _Arnoldia_ (_Physma_) _minutula_. From the thallus rise up simple or sparingly branched colourless conidiophores which bear at the tips globose brown conidia (Fig. 108). Bornet[694] obtained these conidia by keeping very thin sections of the thallus in a drop of water[693]. [Illustration: Fig. 108. Conidia developed from thallus of _Arnoldia minutula_ Born. × 950 (after Bornet).]