246 



BOTANY 



I'AKT I 



occur in the sea and the mycelium, formerly described as " Rhizomorpha," 



of the Fungus Ayaricus mellcvx. 

 As further examples of spontane- 

 ously luminous Fungi may be 

 cited Agaricus olearius, found grow- 

 ing at the foot of olive trees in 

 South Europe, Polyporus sulphureus 

 and other less familiar Agarics (Ag. 

 igncus, noctilucens, Gardncri, Mycena 

 illuminans, etc.). The phosphor- 

 escence of decaying wood is also, 

 without doubt, due to the growth 

 of Fungi or Bacteria, but some- 

 times to an insect (Neanura) which 

 reacts in this way when disturbed. 

 On phosphorescent fish or meat 

 harmless phosphorescent Bacteria 

 (Microspira photogena, Pseudomonas 

 lucifera) occur. According to 

 MOLISCH Micrococcus phosphoreus 

 usually occurs on meat which has 

 been moistened with a 3 per cent 

 solution of common salt and kept at 

 a low temperature. Of plants taking 

 part in the phosphorescence seen in 

 the sea, the most important are 

 Pyrocystis noctiluca belonging to the 

 Gymnodiniaceae and certain Peri- 

 dineae. Their phosphorescence, 

 according to observations on Ccr- 

 atium tripos made by REINKE, is 

 brought about by mechanical as well 

 as by thermal and chemical stimuli.} 

 The so-called phosphorescence of 



the Moss Schistostega, of the Flagellate Chromophyton Kosnnoffii, and of some 



Fio. 213. Respiratory root of Ai-'tctnnia, one of the 

 Mangroves, (i nat. size ; from SCHIMPER'S Plant- 

 Geography.) 



Fio. 214. Phosphorescent cell of the protonema of Schistostegn. S' S', Path of a ray of light \vliicti 

 after passing through the chloroplasts acquires a .un'i'ii t inge and is totally rrtlrrtrd. (Cf. Fig. 172.) 



