THE SPHAEROBOLUS GUN 



289 



The Germination of the Gemmae and of the Spores and the 

 Diploid Nature of the Germ-tubes.— When a glebal mass which has 



Fig. 143. — Sphaerobolus stellatus. A glebal mass which, after discharge from the 

 fruit-body, was placed in sterilised tap-water where it germinated. Already, 

 60 hours after its immersion in water, it has sent out a copious radiating 

 mycelium. This mycelium originated from the germination of numerous 

 gemmae scattered among the spores in the gleba, and their germ-tubes pene- 

 trated the wall of the glebal mass. Glebal masses kept dry for upwards of ten 

 years germinated in water in the manner here shown. Germinating glebae 

 can be employed for making pure cultures. Drawn by A. H. R. Buller and 

 Ruth Macrae. Magnification, 42. 



been shot out of a fruit-body is placed in water, just as on malt- 

 agar it germinates within" 24 hours and sends out clamp-connexion- 

 bearing hyphae on all sides (Figs. 143 and 144). These hyphae, as 

 Pillay x observed, form an adhesive slime-disc (Schleimscheibe) where 



1 T. P. Pillay, he. cit., pp. 213-214. 



VOL. V. 



