606 SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



those of Puget Sound and of Western Alaska by G. B. Rigg ; those of 

 South-east Alaska by T. C. Frye. The structure and life-history of the 

 species in question are considered, with a view to preventing their ex- 

 termination by an over-free harvesting. A portolio of large coloured 

 maps is issued with the report, to show the distribution of the algae. 



Algae for Beginners.* — Gr. Lindau publishes the second volume of 

 his "Cryptogam-flora for Beginners." It treats of the Conjugatae, 

 < 'hlorophyceaa, and Characere. In the introduction he describes the life- 

 history of the respective groups, their development, reproduction, re- 

 lationships, etc. ; and draws special attention to the gaps in our know- 

 ledge of the subject, notably in regard to the lowest forms, thus 

 encouraging further study. The systematic part contains short clear 

 diagnoses of a well-chosen number of species. Critical or very rare 

 species are not described. 



The Thalassioscope.| — M. von Leinburg describes a new instru- 

 ment which allows of an examination of the sea-bottom from the 

 surface. The object can be focused at any distance without altering the 

 range and with the least absorption of light. The apparatus is useful 

 for studying algas in situ. 



Fungi. 



(By A. Lorrain Smith, F.L.S.) 



Zygorhynchus japonicus.^ — K. Kominiani describes this new species 

 of heterogamous Mucorineae, which he isolated from soil in Japan, and 

 cultivated on a large number of substrata. The mycelium and conidio- 

 phores are colourless, while the sporangia are yellowish. The spores are 

 ellipsoid and variable in size. Zygospores are formed abundantly by the 

 copulation of two hyplas unequal in thickness, which arise by the 

 bifurcation of a filament. The species is homothallic. A diagnosis of 

 the fungus is given, and the points of difference between it and other 

 species of the genus are noted. 



Chsetomium and Ascotricha. § — F. H. Chivers has published a 

 monograph of these two genera, as a contribution from the Cryptogamic 

 Laboratory of Harvard University. In Gheetomium he records twenty- 

 eight well-determined species. The genus Ascotricha contains two — some- 

 times listed as G. chartarum and C. pusillum. The genus differs from 

 ( 'Itsefomium in the form of the perithecium, etc. The writer gives a 

 historical sketch of genera and species and a synoptic key to the species. 

 With the specific diagnoses he gives careful notes as to habitat, and the 



* Kryptogamen-flora f . Anfanger, iv. No. 2. Berlin : J. Springer, 1914, xxvi. 

 and 200 pp. 8vo. (437 figs). See also Bot. Centralbl., cxxix. (1915) p. 26. 



t Umschau, 1914, pp. 282-90 (2 figs.). See also Bot. Centralbl., cxxix. (1915) 

 p. 252. 



J Mycol. Centralbl., x. (1914) pp. 1-4 (1 pi.). 



§ Torrey Bot. Club, xiv. (1915) pp. 155-240 (12 pis.). 



