256 THE president's address. 



Finally, as would be expected from what has been already said, 

 such spore-laden grass in the form of hay would also aid in the 

 dispersion of characteristic dung-borne fungi ; and the shipment 

 of such forage in large quantities from one part of the world 

 to another will be very likely to secure a wide geographical range 

 for such organisms. 



The mucilage accompanying the spores assumes various forms 

 in different species. In the primitive condition it is simply mixed 

 up with the spores, comparable to a quantity of peas stirred up 

 in thick gum-water. In other instances the entire surface of 

 each spore is surrounded by a thick layer of mucihige, which 

 shows up as a hyaline, strongly refringent border under the 

 microscope. In others, again, the surrounding envelope of mucus 

 is prolonged at one or both ends of the spore, into one or more 

 long, tail-like appendages. 



When a fresh piece of dung is placed under the conditions 

 described above, the sequence of growth of fungi is as 

 follows : — 



First come members of the Phycomycetes, the first being 

 almost invariably Pilaira anoraala, closely followed by various 

 species of Mucor, and such beautiful forms as Chaetostijlum, 

 Circinella and Pilobohcs. A distinct sexual mode of reproduction, 

 in addition to an asexual or conidial stage, often occurs in the 

 members of this group, which are yet in touch with their 

 ancestors the Algae. 



Next appear members of the group called Hyphomycetes, popu- 

 larly known as moulds ; and exceedingly beautiful objects many 

 of them are, resembling miniature forests, each branch of the 

 tree bearing one, or several conidia arranged in a chain. Many 

 forms included in this group, at one time considered as good 

 species, have recently been proved to be the conidial condition of 

 the Discomycetes or Pyrenomycetes. 



Following the Hyphomycetes appear the Discomycetes, recog- 

 nised by the spore-bearing portion of the fungus being more or 

 less cup-shaped, or in some species flattened or plane. In some 

 species the cup or disc is quite smooth, in others more or less 

 hairy outside ; in others, again, the edge of the cup or disc is 

 furnished with a fringe of hairs. Brilliant colours characterise 

 the members of this family — vermilion, red, green, salmon-colour, 

 and bright yellow, being the prevailing tints. 



