PLANTS WHICH CAUSE DECAY 



395 



Black Mould of bread, showing the manner in which the 

 mycelium sends out root-like branches at short intervals: 

 from these places spring long stalks bearing spore-cases. 



Sow some spores in a hanging drop, as shown in 

 Fig. 165, and observe their germination. They grow 

 well in the sweetened 

 juice of stewed apricots, 

 in water in which hay 

 has been boiled, or in 

 sweetened water. Spread 

 a thin layer of 

 nutrient gela- 

 tin (see page 

 369 ; ordinary 

 gelatin sweet- 

 ened will do, 218- 

 or even a little 

 clear apple or other fruit jelly) on a slide, sow the 

 spores in it, and keep the slides in a moist atmosphere 

 (for this purpose they may simply 

 be laid on top of the bread culture 

 in the pan or placed in a special 

 pan on a support to keep them 

 from contact with the water in the 

 bottom of the pan). We may re- 

 move the slides from time to time 

 and observe the development of 

 the Mould ; since they are injured 

 219. A single spore-case of by exposure to dry air it is better 



the Black Mould of bread, J J 



(cSent-^hapeVin^ to have a number of slides, one of 

 (luU u c^ned hespores which may be removed each day. 



