1921] 
WEBB—GERMINATION OF SPORES OF CERTAIN FUNGI 299 
been unusual, but that obtained with the alkaline cultures has 
been most striking. 
The spores of B. cinerea germinate in the mannite medium 
within the range Py 1.6-6.9 with best germination afforded at 
Py 3.0 and similar data are obtained in Czapek’s full nutrient 
solution. The relations in the peptone solution are similar, 
except that there is a slight shift of the germination-acidity 
curve towards alkalinity. Decidedly different data are furnished 
with the sugar beet decoction, maximum germination extending 
in a zone between Py 3.0 and Pa 6.5 and ranging on the alkaline 
side beyond Py 9.6. Germination in “water HCl or KOH” 
agrees with that in the sugar beet decoction (though not stimu- 
lated to such a great extent) in that germination freely occurs 
under conditions of active alkalinity. "This is in direct contrast 
with the other media employed where no or relatively feeble 
germination is obtained under such conditions. The relations 
in “water H;PO, and NaOH" are very similar to those in the 
mannite solution, but the composition of the two media, it must 
be remembered, is the same except for the presence and absence 
of mannite. 
i Ic 
Bo LAN 
ag 
i] f í 
ie H H i N P AN 
$ TN p ET 
\ fus et 
p / \ A mA e. a. 
S y \ F d NS N 
i | Bs MILL vA 
d ~ 
| ge ~= etd TP Pe E 
/ 2 3 F s 6 7 8 9 fo 
Fig. 6. Botrytis cinerea in “water HCl or KOH." 
Aspergillus niger furnishes germination curves which are very 
consistent in solutions of mannite, Czapek’s solution, and peptone. 
These relations are similar to those of Botrytis and clearly de- 
monstrate the importance of active acidity for germination in 
these solutions. 
