ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 211 



development of the ascogoniuin, spores, etc. She finds that the ascocarp 

 originates as a tangle of septate hyplne, each cell containing one or 

 a few nuclei of two sizes, the smaller fusing in pairs and so producing 

 the larger, thus constituting a process of reduced fertilisation or 

 apogamy. The cells containing these nuclei form ascogenous hyphae ; 

 as they develop, their nuclei increase in size ; the two terminal nuclei 

 undergo simultaneous karyokinetic division, showing sixteen chromo- 

 somes. The further formation of the ascus and the various phases of 

 nuclear division are followed in detail. The spores are outlined by 

 radiations passing from the centrosome ; near the base of the spore 

 vacuoles may take part in the process. 



Biology of Ergot.* — Rob. Stager publishes a continuation of his 

 studies on Clavkeps purpurea. He finds that, though the sclerotia lie 

 4 to 6 months in the soil without germination, growth can be hastened 

 by more favourable conditions of moisture and warmth. From theasco- 

 spores produced on sclerotia collected from Festuca arundinacea, he in- 

 fected Anthoxanthum odoratum and Melica nutans successfully, the latter 

 especially so. Later the infection experiments were extended to Poa 

 alpina and Bromus erectus, in both these cases unsuccessfully. Other 

 grasses were also infected, and Stager finally established that he was 

 dealing with typical Clavkeps purpurea. He next experimented with 

 Clavkeps taken from Poa annua, and as a result proved that he was 

 dealing with a biological species of C. purpurea. Further experiments 

 are to be undertaken. 



Gooseberry Mildew in Russia.f — R. Regel communicates the history 

 of the first appearance of the American mildew in central Russia. It 

 was seen first at Winnitzy, in Podolia, in 1895, in the garden of a man 

 who was keenly interested in American fruit trees, which he had im- 

 ported in considerable numbers. Along with the fruit trees he had 

 also brought over the disease. 



Mycological Notes from South America and Spain.J — F. W. Neger 

 records two species of Chytridiaceas found by him in Chili : Synchytrium 

 Taraxaci, in which the sporangia are rather larger than in the European 

 forms, and Syn. aureum, on a species of Plantayo. From Patagonia 

 he records Urophlyctis major, on Rumex mar it im us, hitherto found only 

 sparsely in Germany. Two species of Erysiphaceaj, also from Pata- 

 gonia, were diagnosed, one, Sphce,rothera spiralis, new to science. 

 Notes are added on several fungi from southern Spain, notably Ant mi- 

 liaria erkophila, which, at a slight elevation, forms little pustules on the 

 leaf, which, as a rule, contain perithecia as well as the conidial form. 

 At a higher elevation, the vegetative mycelium grows so luxuriantly 

 that balls are formed the size of a hen's egg or larger. These are either 

 formed of sterile mycelium or with conidiophores only. Perithecia never 

 occur at the higher altitude. Changed conditions of temperature and 

 humidity account for the wide differences in the development of the 



* Centralbl. Bakt., xx. (1908) pp. 272-9. 

 t Gartenflora, lvi. (1907) pp. 357-8. 

 J Centralbl. Bakt. xx. (1907) pp. 92-5. 



