ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 83 



Diseases of cereals due to ScUrospora graminicola, one of the Perono- 

 sporeae, are described by E. T. Butler.* The fungus causes malforma- 

 tion of the host either in the flower or in the stem and leaves ; a full 

 description of the fungus is given, and a systematic account of the genus. 



Black disease of peach-trees is due to Gytospora rubescens. F. M. 

 Rolfs f has described its growth and action on the host. He concludes 

 that it is the pycnidial form of Valsa leucostoma. 



New or Rare Microfungi.J — Under this title, A. Maublanc describes 

 a number of new species of Pyrenomycetes and Fungi imperfecti, in some 

 cases, following the germination of the spores and the development of 

 the mycelium. A new genus, Geratopycnidium, also one of the Fungi 

 imperfecti (Excipulaceae), is recorded. It grows on the excreta of insects 

 on leaves. It does not enter the tissues nor affect the plant in any 

 way. It forms small perithecia, with rather long, tapering beaks, and 

 2-celled colourless spores. 



Mycology from the Ecole de Pharmacie. — G. Bainier continues 

 his studies of moulds, giving descriptions of a new species, and notes 

 on species already known. Two new species of Scopulariopsis are 

 described and figured. The conidiophore has the same type of branching 

 as Penicillium, but the general habit of the plants is very different. 

 Gonatobotrys fuscum ; G. simplex and Arthrobytrys superba are also 

 re-described, and their growth and development followed. In a third 

 paper he gives an account of Papulaspora aspergilliformis, and of two 

 new species of Ascodesmis. In these two genera the carpogonium is 

 formed from a single mycelial branch. In the former other hyphaa 

 grow out and form a covering ; in Ascodesmis the asci are naked. All 

 these fungi are carefully figured. 



Preparation of Enzyme from a Fungus. || — K. Okazaki describes a 

 new species, Aspergillus OkazaMi, and its economical value in the pro- 

 duction of an enzyme. The fungus is entirely white and easily cultured ; 

 spores are mixed with prepared rice, which is then spread on boards and 

 suspended in a suitable atmosphere. In a few days the substratum is 

 covered with the white growth of the fungus. It is mixed with water, 

 allowed to stand for a day, and then precipitated with absolute alcohol. 

 The deposit is washed and dried in the usual manner, and placed on the 

 market. 



Localities of Fungi. If — B. Studer-Steinhauslin proposes two theories 

 as to the occurrence of fungi in woods : — (1) That the mycelium of 

 certain species is always associated with the roots of special trees, and 

 therefore these fungi and the trees will always be found together. 

 (2) That different fungi require different chemical constituents in the 

 humus, which they find in the leaves of various trees. Some fungi grow 



* 



Mem. Dept. Agric. India, ii. No. 1 (1907) 19 pp. (5 pis.). See also Bot. 

 Centralbl., cv. <1907) pp. 573-4. t Science, xxvi. (1907) p. 87. 



X Bull. Soc. Mycol. France, xxiii. (1907) pp. 141-9 (1 pi. and 7 figs.). 



§ Tom. cit., pp. 125-40. 



|| Centralbl. Bakt., xix. (1907) pp. 481-4 (1 pi.). 



i Mitth. Nat. Ges. Bern, 1906 (1907) xvii. pp. See also Ann. Mycol., v. (1907) 

 pp. 381-2. 



2 



