1891.] The Morphology of Spore-producing Members. 265 



" torula " stage of one of these higher fungi. Full descriptions and 

 figures are given by the author. 



The form Mycoderma cerevisice was thoroughly examined. The 

 author's results confirm what is known as to its aerobian characters. 

 Statements as to its identity with O'idium lactis were not only not 

 confirmed, but the author grew these two forms side by side, and 

 maintains their distinctness. Nor could he obtain spores in this 

 fungus, thus failing to confirm earlier statements to the contrary. 

 He regards it as probable that oil -drops have been mistaken for 

 spores ; he also finds that in later stages of fermentation by this 

 organism a strong oily-smelling body is produced. 



With regard to Bacterium aceti, the author has nothing new to add. 

 A point of some interest was the repeated production of acetic ether, 

 which scented the laboratory when this Schizomycete was growing 

 in company with the small white aerobian top-yeast referred to 

 nnder (/3). As this phenomenon was found to have nothing to do 

 with the question being investigated, the author did not pursue it 

 further. It seemed probable, however, that the yeast produced alcohol, 

 which the Schizomycete, in presence of oxygen, partially oxidised, 

 and that the fragrant ether was produced by interaction of the pro- 

 ducts. 



With regard to the other forms found, the author was chiefly con- 

 cerned with testing their relations to the important and essential 

 organisms. It need only be remarked here that hanging-drop 

 cultures of DematiuiYi pullulans were very successful, and that some 

 of the moulds, and at least one bacillus (of which the spore-forma- 

 tion, &c., were traced also), were traced to the ginger used in the 

 manufacture of the well-known beverage. 



The author hopes very shortly to have the honour to lay before the 

 Society a full account of his research, of which the above is only a 

 brief notice. The fuller account will contain detailed descriptions, as 

 well as figures of the apparatus, mode of culture, &c. 



II. " Studies in the Morphology of Spore-producing Members. 

 Preliminary Statement on the Lycopodinae and Ophio- 

 glossacese." By F. 0. BOWER, F.R.S. Received Novem- 

 ber 27, 1891. 



It is currently held that the sporophyte, or neutral generation in 

 archegoniate plants, is the result of elaboration of the zygote : that 

 while in certain Algae the zygote simply divides to form a number of 

 spores (carpospores), in the lower Bryophyta there has been a differ- 

 entiation of an external, sterile, and protective wall, distinct from the 



T 2 



