ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 237 



Wood-destroying Fungi.*— Josef Schorstein publishes notes on the 

 fungi that are found on roofs. He states that the occurrence of white 

 strings or cushions of white colour on infected wood indicates the presence 

 of Porta Vaillantii or Polyporus vaporarius. If soft, like kid leather, 

 the mycelial strands belong to the first-named ; if brittle, they belong to 

 the latter. Schorstein has found that Couiophora cerebella and Paxillus 

 jianuoides only occur in cellars. Polyporus destructor quickly forms 

 fruiting bodies, and never entirely destroys the wood. Membranaceous 

 coatings point to Mer alius lacrymans or M. pulverulentus. The former 

 makes its appearance soon after the wood is built into position. If 

 cultures prove that the mycelium is living, the wood should be entirely 

 destroyed. Mouldy wood is quite safe, as moulds never penetrate into 

 the wood tissues. 



Notes on Geaster.f — J. Eick accepts the work of C. G. Lloyd on 

 this genus. He is inclined to replace species by types, the latter more 

 truly representing the grouping of forms. Rick enumerates the cha- 

 racters that are of systematic value : the form of the " mouth " and 

 columella, and the consistency of the peridium ; and he compares the 

 different species, marking the points of difference or resemblance. 



Dictyophora and Ithyphallus4— G. F. Atkinson has made a com- 

 parative study of these genera, with special reference to the develop- 

 ment and importance of the veil, and a comparison is made with Phallus 

 Ravenelii, in which a true indusium, so conspicuous in Dictyophora, is 

 wanting. In Ithyphallus there is a rudimentary indusium only, but 

 Atkinson considers that I. impudicus and Phallus Ravenelii belong to one 

 genus. 



Myco-geography.§— F. Theissen comments on Schroter's statement 

 that, for fungi, there is a geographical distribution, as there is for 

 Phanerogams. So far, the experience of mycologists does not support 

 this view, though, as Theissen remarks, much more detailed work is still 

 necessary, and the work of earlier mycologists needs thorough revision. 

 A list is made of Xylarise from Brazil, which shows how wide the distri- 

 bution is for these fungi ; but, he concludes, much examination of 

 existing material must be undertaken before we can attempt accurate 

 geographical distribution lists. 



Fungus Root-tubercles. ||— E. G. Arzberger has studied the fungus 

 that causes root-tubercles in Ceanothus, Eleaynus, and Myrica. In the 

 two former the fungus is placed in the genus Frankia ; infection takes 

 place by root-hairs near the tip, and as the fungus develops the host- 

 cells become hypertrophied, the fungus secretes an enzyme that destroys 

 the cell-walls, andjthe nucleus increases in volume. The fungus forms 

 sporangia from which probably the spores escape, but the fungus itself 

 is finally absorbed by the host. Symbiosis exists, which is quite apparent 



* Oesterr. Forst. Jagdzeit., xxviii. No. 31 (1910) pp. 281-2. See also Hedwigia 

 1. (1910) BeibL, p. 119. & ' 



t Beih. Bot. Centralbl., xxvii. (1910) pp. 375-83. 

 X Bot. Gaz., li. (1911) pp. 1-20 (7 pis. and 1 fig.). 

 § Beih. Bot. Centralbl., xxvii. (1910) pp. 359-74. 

 Kept. Missouri Bot. Garden, xxi. (1910) pp. 60-102 (9 pis.). 



April 19th, 1911 R 



