THE SEQLEXCE Or FrNGI AND MYCETOZOA 273 



THE SEQUENCE OF FUNGI AND MYCETOZOA. 

 Br W. T. Elliott, D.D.S., F.L.S., and Jessie S. Elliott, D.Sc. 



Ax oak branch about 15 ft. in length and about l] ft. in diameter 

 that was blown down in a gale at Tanworth-in-Arden in the autumn 

 of 1912 has been carefully kept under observation with the object of 

 noting the sequence of fungi or m3X'etozoa wliicli might grow upon 

 it. It was in the first instance quite sound with the leaves attached 

 and showed no trace of decay. In the autumn of 1913, after lyiug 

 on the ground in a conifer plantation for twelve months, it was 

 profusely covered with a dense growth of the black gelathious cups 

 of Biilffarla polymorpha which issued through the cracks in the 

 bark. In the following autumn (1914) a further dense growth of 

 this same fungus appeared, and at the same time on the sawn end 

 of the branch were seen traces of the purj)le fruiting bodies of Coryiie 

 sarcoides. During the next autumn (191.j) Bulgaria polijinorplia 

 again made its appearance, but less in quantity ; and at the same 

 time coming up through the same cracks in the bark was observed 

 everywhere the fruiting structures of Coryiie sarcoides. Again, in 

 the autumn of 1916 Coryne sarcoides appeared in abundance and 

 with it at the same time a still further diminished quantit}^ of 

 Bulgaria polymor^yha. The latter has never been seen there again. 

 During the winter (1916-17) a small patch of Stereu/Ji Itirsuluni 

 aj^peared. 



In the autumn of 1917 only a trace of Coryne sarcoides made its 

 a})pearance, and since then has never been seen there : also, a small 

 growth of Stereum hirsnfum as well as a small patch of Pauus 

 sfypficus came up, and the latter remained in evidence until the 

 following March. In 1918, during the autumn, a cluster of the 

 sporophores of Hyplioloma fascicalaris appeared on one of the ends 

 of the log as well as the small patch of Stereum hirsntum. 



In the autumn of 1919 after seven ^^ears of obseiwation the 

 first Mycetozoon appeared, an area of about four square feet l)eing 

 covered with a dense growth of PJiysarum nutaas Pers., which 

 appeared through those cracks in the bark which in previous years 

 had been occupied by Bulgaria polymorpha and Coryne sarcoides : 

 at the same time a large patch of Physariini nutans also developed 

 on the sawn end of the log ; the wood even then was so hard and 

 dense that much difficulty arose in cutting any away. Subsequently, 

 on the side opposite that on which the Mycetozoon developed 

 Bhlebia merismoides appeared, covering an area of about three 

 square feet : also, cluster.sof Ilypholoina fascicalaris and Ilyplwloina 

 suhlaterifia developed at opposite ends of the log. 



In June 1920 one sporophore of Pluteus cerrinus appeared, and 

 during June, July, and August the Mycetozoon Physaruni nutans 

 sent up a continuous crop of its minute grey sporangia covering the 

 same area it occupied in the autumn of 1919, and in addition the 

 space which was then occupied by Phlehia Merismoides. In July 

 (1920) a second species of Mycetozoon — Stemoiiitisfasca (Roth) — 

 nmde its appearance ; its white plasm. )dium emerged in two places 

 Joubxal or BoTAXY. — Vol. 5S. 'Xoveau^ek, 1920.^ y 



