74 
An introductory portion, occupying twenty-seven pages, is oc- 
cupied by a discussion of the affinities and classification of the 
group. De Bary’s statement regarding want of relationship be- 
tween this group and the fungi are matched off against each other 
and finally dismissed as self-contradictory. 
The writer then draws a parallel between the methods of 
growth in the Myxomycetes and Mucorini, and judges that this is 
sufficient to indicate affinities, quoting from De Bary: “ We find 
it impossible to establish any strict homologies, but are limited to 
resemblances in form, structure and mode of life.’ That the simi- 
larities are sometimes striking cannot be denied, but that they should 
be interpreted as indicating affinity (community of descent) is by 
no means clear. It may be that Mr. Massee is acquainted with 
some other kind of affinity, not involving descent, and that the 
groups under discussion have this kind; indeed, it must be so, for 
if not there is a direct clash between this part of the discussion 
and one of his conclusions, which says: ‘There is no evidence in 
favour of the supposition that the Myxogastres are degenerated 
members of the vegetable kingdom, whereas the idea that fungi 
originated by differentiation from chlorophyll-bearing plant ances- 
tors is generally admitted.” 
How this very definite and very desirable conclusion was ex- 
tracted from any part of the previous discussion is an exceeding 
great mystery, but the curious can find it and four other conclu- 
sions, some even more mysterious, drawn up and numbered on 
page 21. 
The introductory portion of the book is, however, as a whole, 
interesting. The existence of hybrids between species of Myxo- 
mycetes is described, and a list given of the colors of the plasmodia 
of a considerable number of species. Many quotations from vari- 
ous investigators are here collated, and though sometimes used in 
ways never contemplated by their authors, are still valuable to 
those to whom the original works are not easy of access. Mr. 
Massee has settled many important points to his own satisfaction, 
but has ignored many facts and distinctions which will prevent his _ 
conclusions being widely or permanently accepted. For example, a 
the terms sporangium, plasmodiocarp and zthallium, are used with 
the most thorough indiscrimination. On page 26 Zudulina cylin- 
