xiv.] YEAST FUNGI. 193 



formed. The cylindrical cells give origin by gemmation to 

 spherical and elliptical torula-cells. 



Such a growth, in which the torula-cells are capable of 

 forming a sort of mycelium, was formerly called oidium, and 

 as o'idium albicans is recognised as the cause of " thrush ; " 

 the well-known white patches which occur on the mucous 

 membrane of the mouth and pharynx in suckling infants 

 and debilitated patients. 



Grawitz 1 has proved by observations on artificial cultures 

 that this fungus is identical with the oidium variety of Sac- 

 charomyces mycoderma ; the cells are spherical or cylindrical, 

 the former about 0*003 to ' 00 5 mm - i n diameter, the latter 

 up to o'O3 or 0-05 mm. long. As above described it forms 

 mycelium-like filaments from which, by lateral and terminal 

 gemmation, spring spherical or oval torula-cells. It also 

 forms ascospores containing four to eight spores. 



1 Virchvufs Archiv, vol. Ixx. 



