538 SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



great numbers from the well-developed ostiole, and probably enter the 

 young Ulva at very early stages of its development. 



The jP/Ymofo-composite came from Alaska ; the fungal element 

 Guignardia dlashana sp. n. changes the character of the alga, giving it 

 a darker colour and in old plants a curled, crinkled, and leathery texture. 

 The algal cells are scattered very irregularly in the mycelium. Another 

 PrflsiWa-cornposite is the antarctic Mastodia tessellata. 



B. M. Davis remarks in the Botanical Gazette* " It soems plain 

 that these composite organs are lichens, certainly as much so as is 

 Ephebe." 



Notes on Cladonias.f — Bruce Fink and Mabel A. Husband have 

 written careful and critical descriptions and notes on some of the well- 

 known species of this genus in America, thus enabling beginners to 

 gain a good understanding of their systematic position. They rely on 

 outward form and appearance for determination. Microscopic structure, 

 algal cells and spore's are of little specific diagnostic value. The writers 

 compare one species with another and give careful accounts of habitat, 

 &c. The plants are illustrated by photographs. 



Bruce Fink % has also published an account of " Some Talus Cladonia 

 Formations," in reference to ecologic and other conditions. He dis- 

 cusses the probable age of the lichen communities found growing on 

 the tali, and also the age of the tali themselves. He records a large 

 number of other lichens found in the same localities, and the factors 

 that have influenced their presence. The paper is illustrated by full- 

 page photographs of the growing plants. 



Eumycetic Fermentation.§ — This is the title of the second volume 

 of Dr. Franz Lafar's work on Technical Mycology. The present 

 instalment constitutes Part I. of the volume, the concluding portion of 

 which will be translated and issued as soon as the German proofs come 

 to hand. Part I. comprises Sections X. to XII. and Chapters XXXIX. 

 to XLVIII. of the whole work. Section X. deals with the general 

 morphology and physiology of the Eumycetes in four chapters. Chapter 

 XXXIX. gives a good general account of the morphology of the group, 

 while in Chapter XL. the composition of the cell-membrane is discussed. 

 The next chapter deals with the mineral nutrient materials ; and the 

 occurrence and power of replacement of various elements in differ- 

 ent fungi. In Chapter XLII. the influence of light on the development 

 of the Eumycetes is discussed, also chemotropism and the secretion of 

 proteolytic enzymes by members of the group. 



Section XL — fermentation by Zygomycetes — contains three chapters 

 dealing with the morphology and systematic division of the mucors, 

 their fermentation processes, and their use in the spirit industry. 

 Section XII. entitled, Form, structure, and chemical composition of 



* Bot. Gazette, xxxv. (1903) pp. 229-30. 



t Bryologist, vi. (1903) pp. 21-7. 



% Bot. Gazette, xxxv. (1903) pp. 195-208 (5 figs.). 



§ * Technical Mycology : the Utilisation of Micro-organisms in the Arts and 

 Manufactures. A Practical Handbook on Fermentation and Fermentative Processes 

 for the use of those interested in the Industries dependent on Fermentation.' By 

 Franz Lafar, translated by Charles Salter. Griffin, London, 1903, viii. and 189 pp., 

 with 68 figs, in text. 



