| In some of these, the asci are evanescent, but in the greater number are permanent. |
| The asci are developed in the large dense fruit bodies and the spores escape by the decay of the wall. |
| Interspersed among the asci are threadlike sterile cells called paraphyses. |
| In the Helvellaceae there is no apothecium but a large irregular fruit body which at maturity bears the asci on its surface. |
| The asci differ in shape and size, according to the species. |
| The asci are cylindrical, slightly pointed at the apex, 8-spored. |
