The Myxoiiiycctcs of the Miatni l\xllcy. Ohio. 127 



THE MYXOMVCKTRS OF THK MIAMI VALLEY, 



OHIO. 



Bv A. P. Morgan. 



First Paper. 

 (Read January 3, 1893.) 



MYXOMYCETES, Wallr. 



Fructification essentially a minute membranaceous 

 vesicle, the sporangium inclosing the sporHvS, the 

 product of a motile protoplasmic body called the 



PLASMODIUM. 



Microscopic organisms with the habit of the Fungi. The 

 ripe spore of the Myxomycetes is globose or ellipsoidal in 

 shape, with the epispore colorless or colored, and smooth or 

 marked by characteristic surface — sculpture according to the 

 species ; the spore in germination gives rise to an elongated 

 protoplasmic body, which exhibits amoeboid movements, and 

 is known by the name of szvarm-cell. The swarm-cells mul- 

 tiply by bipartition, which may be repeated through several 



Preston, Hamilton County, Ohio. December 28, 1892. 

 Mr. Davis L. Jame.s: 



Dear Sir — Won^ with this I send you the first installment of the papers, 

 entitled " The Myxomycetes of the Miami Valley, Ohio." 



The work in these papers is based upon my ample collection of Myxomycetes 

 growing in this region, comprising more than one hundred species; these have 

 been diligently compared with specimens obtained from correspondents elsewhere 

 in this country and in Europe. 



At the same time, I have also included many extrr limital species. This has 

 been done chiefly to more clearly elucidate the subject in places where the local 

 material is not sufBcient. 



The only apology I can make for the arrangement which I present, is that I 

 have been obliged to choose from several different systems. I have aimed not to 

 hamper myself, by attaching paramount importance to some particular character 

 throughout. 



I purpose to furnish a synopsis of the whole at the end of the work. 



Very truly yours. A. P. Morgan. 



