44 



The Mycetozoa, and 



by this beautiful peculiarity. Our English species are 

 very attractive, but they are excelled in brilliance by some 

 tropical kinds. Of other genera, the Physarum psittacinum 

 is another species with iridescent sporangia, and derives its 

 name from its supposed resemblance to the colours of a 

 parrot. 



Fia. 11. Dictydium umbilicatum. Empty Sporangia, 

 x about 40 diameters. 



CAPILLITIUM. It is impossible to consider the form of the 

 sporangium without reference to the capillitium, i.e., the 

 system of hairs contained within it, and sometimes entering 

 into union with it as part of its structure. This capillitium is 

 often of great beauty. It is formed before the spores in the 

 course of development, and it is probable that it performs a 

 part in the dispersal of the spores. Sometimes, as in Trichia 

 (Fig. 12), the hairs lie free amongst the spores. In this 

 genus the hairs are furnished with spiral thickenings, 

 which give them very much the appearance of a twisted 

 cord, and they are hygroscopic, i.e., under the influence of 



