PART II.] Experiments as to the Nature of the " Pink-tinted Moulds T 343 



A similar mould was obtained on four occasions in connection with fragments of 

 black particles obtained from specimens of the dark or melanoid variety : — 



(1) Some of these particles from a newly amputated foot were mixed with a 

 little cotton soil " moistened with animal juices " and kept for two years and nine months 

 unopened. It was then observed that a thin reddish film had appeared on the still 

 moist surface like that noticed on the salt pans in the marshes near Bombay. 



(2) During the same period similar fresh particles, obtained from the same source 

 as in the foregoing experiment, were placed on rice-paste and set aside in a corked 

 bottle. This also remained unchanged for nearly three years, " when on opening the 

 bottle and removing its contents into an open glass-cell, a red mould speedily made 

 its appearance and spread luxuriantly : it had not, however, a clear connection with 

 the fungus particles, but seemed to spring up independently of them upon the rice 

 wherever this was exposed to the air." 



(3) Black particles were taken directly from another foot and placed in some 

 moist ground rice. About six months afterwards a reddish tinge, passing on to crimson, 

 was observed on the rice starch. " The black 'particles have remained unchanged to all 

 appearance, and the red stains do not surround them, but [may spring up unconnectedly." 

 (The italics are ours.) 



(4) A set of three experiments was undertaken : — («) black particles and rice-paste, 

 (1)) rice-paste only, and (c) black particles which had been kept dry in a box for two 

 or three years (mixed with rice-paste ?). 



When examined within a month the first was unchanged ; the second, i.e.^ the 

 rice-paste alone, presented a suspicious reddish tinge in one part; and the third was 

 covered with a pink growth which grew " equally and spread everywhere, but its 

 commencement had no more apparent connection with the unaltered black masses than 

 in the other cases." 



A fifth series was undertaken, but as the specimens were lost, details have not 

 been given. 



With regard to these observations. Dr. Carter writes that at first he did not 

 appreciate the . significance of this pink-tinted growth until he had learnt Mr. Berkeley's 

 opinion that the peculiar mould was " the perfect condition of the species." 



Mr. H. J. Carter made somewhat similar observations, and both observers com- 

 municated their results to the Eev. Mr. Berkeley, who, as being the most experienced 

 and distinguished mycologist in England, was of all persons the most likely to be able 

 to throw light on the nature of the growth. 



Mr. Berkeley also undertook some cultivation-experiments with material obtained 

 from Bombay — Dr. Vandyke Carter supplied some alcohol-preserved specimens, and 

 Mr. H. J. Carter some fragments of the material preserved in dried rice-paste. No 

 peculiar growth was developed in connection with the former, but a pink mould appeared 

 on some rice-paste to which some of the dried fragments had been added. Although 

 the growth of this mould did not proceed sufficiently far to bring all its fruit to 



