ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW. 
BULLETIN 
OF 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 
No. 8.] (1911. 
XLITI—A NEW PAINT-DESTROYING FUNGUS. 
(Phoma pigmentivora, Mass.) 
(With Plate.) 
G. MAssEE. 
It is proverbial that certain kinds of fungi flourish on the most 
varied substances, acid and alkaline solutions respectively in some 
instances forming a suitable matrix. Writing-ink frequently 
becomes clogged with the mycelium of the common blue mould 
Penicillium glaucum; the same fungus also invades eggs, the 
mycelium penetrating to the interior through the porous texture of 
the shell. In the laboratory water solutions of stains, more 
especially eosin, are frequently rendered useless owing to a dense 
growth of mycelium ; dilute solutions of acetic acid and of gly- 
cerine are also invaded. As a rule, when fungi develop under such 
exceptional conditions they remain sterile, the mycelium or vegetative 
portion of the fungus alone developing, and often presenting many 
remarkable departures from the normal type of structure. 
Amongst the most remarkable of such fungi is one that elects 
to grow on fresh paint. It flourishes in the greatest profusion in 
hothouses, its development being apparently favoured by a high 
temperature and constant humidity, as it is but rarely observed on 
paint elsewhere. About a month or two after a hothouse has been 
t a n course of time the discoloured areas extend 
considerably, and form broadly effused patches several inches 
8 bout a week after the coloured patches are fully devel- 
oped, their surface becomes studded with minute blackish-red warts. 
Each wart is a fungus fruit, containing myriads of very minute 
spores, which in due course are dispersed and start new points of 
infection. 
When the fungus appears in abundance, as is usually the case, 
the paint is irretrievably ruined, and serious loss follows. During 
(21218—6a.) Wt. 118—9,. 1125, 10/11. D&S. A 
