80 The Mycetozoa, and 



had to the pocket lens and the microscope. There are few 

 more beautiful objects than some of the sporangia under a 

 low power, or than the capillitium and spores of some kinds 

 under a higher power : the Trichia with lemon-coloured 

 hairs and spores are especially lovely to look upon. 

 The spores should be examined under water to prevent 

 shrinkage, and a little spirit is often useful in the 

 examination of the capillitium, as it helps to expel the air. 



The beginner will very likely at first sight mistake some 

 of the small fungi for myxies, but a very little experience 

 will enable him to distinguish the sporangium walls, the 

 hairs, and the spores of a myxie from anything which he 

 will meet with in the structure of a fungus. 



A visit to the botanical department of the British 

 Museum at South Kensington, and an examination of the 

 microscopic slides and drawings prepared by Mr. Arthur 

 Lister and his daughter, Miss Gulielma Lister, and pre- 

 sented by them to the British Museum, will be of great 

 utility to the student. 



To Mr. and Miss Lister all students of myxies are under 

 the deepest obligations, and we are especially so by reason 

 of their constant help, and not least for their kindness in 

 reading this essay in manuscript. Mr. Lister has published 

 two books which are indispensable to the English student. 

 The "Guide to the British Mycetozoa exhibited in the 

 Department of Botany, British Museum," is a little 

 pamphlet, price threepence, written by Mr. Lister for the 

 Trustees of the British Museum, and published by them. 

 It can be obtained at the South Kensington Museum ; but 



