MYXOGASTRES 523 



their presence. Their significance, if any, in the economy 

 of the plant is unknown. They are not parasitic. 

 Zimmermann, A., Pringsh. Jahrb., 37, p. i (1901). 



Myco-bacterial disease of fungi. Vuillemin gives an 

 account of the discovery of a number of deformed specimens 

 of Tricholoma terreum (Fr.), a species much sought after as 

 an article of food by mycophagists in France. The 

 malady presents three distinct symptoms, deformation, steri- 

 lisation, or arrest of spore formation, and decomposition 

 of the tissues, which takes place quickly, the central flesh of 

 the fungus becoming quite soft and putrescent when the 

 surface still appears to be quite sound. 



The first and second of these symptoms was proved to be 

 due to the action of Mycogone rosea. The putrefaction of 

 the fungus, on the other hand, was found to be due to 

 bacteria, introduced into the flesh of the fungus through the 

 mycelium of the parasite, Mycogone. Numerous zooglaea of 

 immobile bacteria 2*5-3-5 X 0-5 //-, or reaching up to 6 /x long, 

 and then divided into two cells by a septum. Sometimes 

 the rods contain a spore. 



The author considers it highly probable that the injury to 

 the cultivated mushroom, attributed to Mycogone perniciosa, 

 is in reality caused by the combined action of the Mycogone 

 and a bacterium. 



M. rosea forms suffused, velvety, rose-coloured patches, 

 hyphae slender, colourless, densely interwoven ; conidia 

 obovate, tinged red, two-celled, upper cell largest, warted, 

 lower cell paler and smooth, 35-4 X 20-25 /* 



Vuillemin, Comp. Rend., 119, p. 811 (1894). 



MYXOGASTRES 



This group of organisms, also known as Myxomycetes and 

 Mycetozoa, was at one time considered as belonging to 

 the fungi. The discovery, however, that the spores on 

 germination, instead of producing a germ-tube, give origin 

 to amoeboid bodies possessed of the power of spontaneous 

 movement, which combine to form a solid mass or plas- 

 modium, also possessed of the power of movement, placed 

 these organisms outside the fungi, and according to some 

 authorities, outside the vegetable kingdom, hence the name 

 Mycetozoa. 



