MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 15 
teria on the action of fungi causing decomposition and decay 
of timber. It is found that the bacteria used play no impor- 
tant part in the decay of wood, and the effect of these organ- 
isms on the wood-rotting fungi varies considerably with the 
different forms of the latter and with the different types of 
wood. 
Schmitz, H., and Zeller, S. M. (Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 6 :193- 
200) have isolated the various ferments (enzymes) which may 
be found in three wood-destroying fungi (Polyporus lucidus, 
Armillaria mellea, and Daedalea confragosa) as these fungi 
are grown in laboratory cultures. 
Webb, R. W. (Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 6:201-222) presents 
data showing the importance of active acidity in the germina- 
tion of the spores of several species of fungi. In general, it 
is found that the majority of the fungi used show maximum 
germination with a relatively high acidity. Some species 
show a secondary maximum at or near the neutral point, and 
the outstanding feature of particular interest is the relatively 
low percentage germination under conditions of active alka- 
linity. It is felt that the data here developed may be of 
fundamental importance in the practical study of fungicides 
or spray mixtures. 
Young, H. C. (Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 6:147-158) reviews 
earlier studies on seed disinfection for pure culture work, 
and on the basis of his experiments concludes that diverse 
disinfecting agents may be required depending upon the 
nature of the seed used or upon the conditions to which the 
seed have been subjected with respect to contamination by 
bacteria and moulds. 
Zeller, S. M., and Dodge, C. W. (Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 
6:49-59) present descriptions and notes on the American 
species Arcangeliella, Gymnomyeces, and Macowanites. Of the 
first-named genus, there are two American forms and only 
one which does not occur in this country. A single new spe- 
cies in each of the genera Gymnomyces and Macowanites is 
described. 
Zeller, S. M., Schmitz, H., and Duggar, B. M. (Ann. Mo. 
Bot. Gard. 6:137-142). It is demonstrated that many wood- 
destroying fungi do not grow readily in liquid media and that 
there is great diversity in the different forms as to the most 
favorable medium. Within the usual range of biological 
media there is no general rule which may be established as 
to a favorable hydrogen ion concentration. 
