492 LIFE-HISTORIES, 
178. The fission fungi (Class Schizomycetes). Fungi, 
broadly defined, are thallus-plants without chlorophyll. In 
their structure and life-histories they present often note- 
worthy parallels to what we have already seen in typical 
alge. Thus, closely similar to the Cyanophycee are the 
Fission Fungi, otherwise known as Bacteria. A typical 
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Fia. 322.—Hay bacillus (Bacillus subtilis, Rod-germ Family, Bacteriacee). 
A, rod-like plants embedded in the film-like gelatinous mass which they 
produce, 599, B, plants swimming freely by means of slender lash-like 
projections, 1999, C, plants in the thread condition forming resting 
spores, £92. (Strasburger. )—These plants cause putrefaction in various 
liquids such as water in which hay has been soaked. 
example is the “hay bacillus” (Fig. 322) so-called because 
it thrives in an infusion of hay. About twenty-four hours 
after such an infusion is made, the liquid gives off an offensive 
odor and becomes turbid through the presence of myriads of 
organisms which under a very high power of the microscope 
appear as short, colorless rods (B). These are seen to be in 
rapid motion, but it is only by special staining and very 
great magnification that the exceedingly delicate lash-like 
projections which cause the movement. can be discerned. 
The ability of these plants to feed upon the organic substances 
dissolved in the water about them, renders it unnecessary 
for them to manufacture food for themselves by the aid of 
sunlight out of inorganic materials; hence like all fungi they 
can dispense with chlorophyll, and grow as well, often better, 
in the dark than in the light. A plant which feeds upon dead 
