THE GENUS CONIOTHBCirM. 653 



( )n the /th February, 1914, only Plioma spores were sown in 

 the following media : — 



(i) Dox solution* -\- .4 per cent, malic acid. 



(2) Dox solution -)- .4 per cent, gallic acid. 



( 3 ) Dox solution -{-1.5 per cent, dextrose. 



PI. 32, / represents the fungus growing in the above three 

 media, and the results of examination are briefly expressed 

 l)elow : — 



On the i6th Fcbntary. i()i4 — 



Dox -|- I • 5 /''''' cent. Dextrose. — Growth on top of li(|uid. 

 Numerous pycnidia. Mycelium in places rounded. 



Dox -(- .4 per cent. Malic Acid. — Small white colonies on 

 top of liquid and along glass. {'i8th February, 1914, pycnidia.) 



Dox -\- .4 per cent. Gallic Acid. — Small white colonies on 

 surface of liquid and at bottom of tube. Mycelium in i)laces, 

 brown, and rounding off. 

 On the 20th February, 191 4 — 



Dox +1.5 per cent. Dextrose. — Some of the cells, especially 

 of hyphas along the glass, have turned a brown, rounded off, and 

 are very suggestive of Coniolliecium spores. 



Dox -)- .4 per cent. Malic Acid. — The coloured growth on 

 the sides of the glass show Plioma pycnidia. The cells are a light 

 brown, but there are as >'et no typical Coniothecium- spores. 



Do.v -j- .4 per cent Gallic Acid. — Jnst above liquid, along 

 the glass, the growth had turned brown, and examination showed 

 typical Coniothecium spores (PI. t^t^, a and b). 

 On the 2T,rd February, 1914 — 



Do.v -\- 1.5 per cent. Dextrose. — Typical Coniotheeiiim 

 spores (PI. 33, c and d, and PI. 34. a). 



Dox -{- .4 per cent. Malic Acid. — Coniothecium spores (PI. 

 34, b and c.) 



These experiments. I believe, are conclusive that the Conio- 

 thecium under consideration is but a stage in the life cycle of 

 the Plioma found. Often the mycelium was not quite as dark as 

 that typical for Coniothecium, but this is only a minor point where 

 the general form agrees well with the fungus in question. 



Not only was the Coniothecium produced by sowing Plioma 

 spores, but the two were found intermingled on the majority of 

 media, and even on the host. It was this latter fact which first 

 suggested the relation between the species of the two genera in 

 question. 



It is premature to predict that further research will result 

 in the placing of all the Coniotheciums in the genus Phonia. The 

 question can only be settled b}- the cultivation and study of these 

 forms in the laboratory, but in such an ill-defined genus as Conio- 

 fheeium. it is highly probable that it will ultimately l)e related to 

 not one, l)ut a number of other genera. 



* Thorn, Charles: "Cultural Studies of Species of Penicillium," U.S.A. 

 Bureau .\ninial Industry, Bull. 188, p. 22. 



