482 MYXOMYCETES. 



In August, 1916, the writer published in the Memoirs of the New York 

 Botanical Garden a list of all of the species of fungi from Bermuda of 

 which we have any authentic record. The list included one hundred and 

 twenty species and a number of varieties. Most of the species listed here 

 were collected during a two-weeks' visit (November 29-December 14, 1912). 

 The fungi are so evanescent in their occurrence that it is impossible to 

 form an adequate conception of the number of species occurring in any 

 locality in so short a time, so that this list must be considered extremely 

 incomplete. 



Sub-class 1. MYXOMYCETES. 



SLIME-MOULDS. 



The slime-moulds comprise a group of living organisms of doubtful 

 affinity, but which on account of the fungus-like structure of their fruiting 

 stage are often included with the fungi. Although they are usually con- 

 sidered as plants, some students even go so far as to regard them as 

 intermediate between the animal and plant kingdoms. 



These organisms receive their name " slime-mould " from the fact 

 that their vegetative or growing stage takes the form of a slimy mass. 

 This mass varies much in color according to the species, white, pink, and 

 yellow being most commonly encountered. That this slimy mass is really 

 living matter is shown by the fact that it possesses the ability to move 

 about by a streaming motion. It is this property which suggests their 

 affinity with certain lower forms of animal life. 



Like the true fungi, the slime-moulds are unable to make their own 

 food and must feed either on dead or living organic matter. The vege- 

 tative stage of the slime-mould usually grows hidden from view where it 

 quietly feeds on the decomposing organic matter of plant and animal re- 

 mains. Through some natural impulse, however, they almost invariably 

 come to the surface before producing their fruit and often even climb on 

 surrounding objects to considerable height. This is a decided advantage 

 to the plants since it enables them to bring about a wider distribution of 

 their spores which, as in true fungi, is accomplished mainly by the wind. 

 In some species, the vegetative stage consists of a mass several inches or 

 rarely a foot or more in diameter, and such a mass will frequently climb 

 several feet directly up the trunk of a tree or other object before maturing 

 its spores. Rotten logs, leaves, twigs, blades of grass, and in fact almost 

 any available object will furnish a suitable substratum on which these 

 plants may produce their fruit. 



While the slime-moulds in their vegetative stage resemble some of the 

 lower forms of animal life, in their fruiting stage they are decidedly plant- 

 like and show a close resemblance to the fruiting stage of the fungi. The 

 remains of the old fruiting bodies will often be found in clusters on rotten 

 logs and resemble minute feathers or plumes, varying in color from brown 

 to red or golden-yellow. Still others take the form of small puffballs. 



A number of species of Stemonitis, Arc>/ria, Hemitrichia and Physa- 

 rum have been collected in Bermuda. In addition to these, Lycogala epi- 

 dendrum, one of the puffball-like species, has been several times collected. 

 The latter in its vegetative stage is of a delicate pink color which varies to 

 bronze as the fruiting body matures. So far as is known, no attempt has 



