492 FISSION FUNGI WITH VARIABLE VEGETATIVE FORMS. 



dimensions. The threads become segmented into long 

 rods, later into short rods, and finally into cocci ; but 

 this structure is at times only visible after the employ- 

 ment of means which kill the organism. The segments 

 of the threads as a rule pass out of the sheath ; at 

 times, however, the cocci grow to rods and threads in 

 the interior of the sheath. Under certain conditions 

 broken off portions of the branches are able to swarm, 

 and show cilia. At times the fungus forms branches 

 with regular spiral turns ; from these also portions may 

 be separated, and ultimately take on swarming move- 

 ments. According to Billet,* spores are formed in the 

 interior of the threads which compose the false branches. 



Zopf reckons the Zooglsearamigerat to the cycle of develop- 

 ment of the cladotlirix ; this is a zooglsea branched like a 

 tree, containing in the first place cocci, later short rods, then 

 long rods, then leptothrix-likc threads, which at times become 

 spirally twisted, and by the branching of which the typical 

 cladothrix structure is ultimately formed. 



According to Zopf also, the fungus described by Lankester 

 and Cohn,;j; under the name Myconostoc yreyarium, represents 



portions of the threads of clado- 

 thrix. Myconostoc consists of 

 thin, colourless threads which are 

 grouped together in the form of 

 Efe. 138. -Myconostoc k"ot-like loose turns, and are sur- 

 gregarium (after Cohn) rounded by a transparent gelatin- 

 X 600. . ous sheath 10 to 17/*. in diameter. 



J, gelatinous ball contain- Multiplication occurs, as in the 



ing a roll of threads. ,. 



Ji, individual threads. case ot aacoccus, by transverse 



division of the gelatinous capsule. 



A zooglaea is often formed by the adhesion of gelatinous 

 capsules. According to Zopf the spiral forms become broken 

 up at a later period into rods, and ultimately into coccus-like 

 fragments. As the result of the swelling of the jelly, the 

 enclosed rods become more and more separated from each 

 other, and ultimately escape from the jelly, and pass into u 

 swarming condition. 



In the case of the following lower organisms, which may b'e 



* Billet, Compt. rend., vol. 100, p. 1251. 



f Itzigsohn, Kitzungsber. der naturf. Gen., Berlin, 1867. Koch, Cohn* 

 Btitr.. ii., Part 3, p. 414. 



I Cohn, Beitrfige, i., Part 3, p. 183. 



