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.