18 CuUivcdion of Microscope Fungi. [^TnnZjln!'^^it 



vating solution on the 1st September ; on the 5th some of the conidia 

 or sporanges showed in their interior four distinct spores (Fig. 3 I) ; 

 some of the loose spores gradually sprouted, forming threads con- 

 sisting of irregularly-shaped cells, many of them containing fi'om 

 one to four, either oil globules or spores (Fig, 3 m) ; these, like the 

 former, were not tested with ether, &c., as it was desired to pre- 

 serve the specimen intact. On the 15th the threads were full of 

 these, and along their edges thousands of bacteria-like bodies were 

 present. I am doubtful if these were not ejected from the spori- 

 ferous (?) ends of some of the offshoots, as in Fig. 3 n. Though 

 I had not witnessed their ejection, then- position and the appearance 

 of the terminal cells in some parts led to this supposition. The 

 heads with spores in the air-space resembled Fenicillium glaucum 

 with its moniliform chain of round spores, and were larger than in 

 the other specimens (Fig. 3 o). The mycelium from the same 

 brand is seen in Fig. 3jj. At this interesting point of inquiry 

 they were obliged to be neglected, and are only alluded to here in 

 this imperfect sketch, rather to show the utility of the cultivating 

 slide and solution than otherwise ; for in the two last experiments 

 it would be difficult to prove more than that the fruit sprang from 

 some particular spore of those found in the brand, which possibly 

 might be of a mixed character. 



In the very valuable and suggestive report of experiments by 

 Drs. Bilhngs and Curtis, of the U.S. army, appended to the com- 

 prehensive and extended researches furnished by Prof. John 

 Gamgee, M.D., on the cattle plague in the United States, under 

 the various titles of "lung disease, or pleuro-pneumonia," "the ill 

 effects of smutty corn on cattle," and " the Texan, periodic or splenic 

 fever," undertaken by the authority of the commissioners of agri- 

 culture, we find the microscopic examination and the cultivating 

 experiments handled in a very careful, instructive, and trustworthy 

 manner. The omission of any experiments carried out in darkness 

 in reference to the cultivation of fungi from the healthy or patho- 

 logical tissues or fluids, more especially those relating to the most 

 serious and difficult question of the cause of Texan or splenic fever, 

 which destroys life so largely, is to be regretted, as it leaves this 

 point open for future investigation. 



Experiments performed outside the body, if darkness be omitted 

 as one of the conditions, however carefully temperature and moisture 

 may have been regarded, may not sufficiently closely imitate the 

 natural relations, and determine a difference as regards the results 

 obtained. This is not to say that such differences do exist, nor is 

 it to be expected that all the circumstances can be rendered similar, 

 hence there may remain always some degree of questioning, but 

 this condition adopted would tend to narrow the circle. My object 

 is not to enter into a review of this most interesting and valuable 



