PROTOPHYTIC AND OTHER FUNGI. 



317 



general mode of growth would indicate a near relation to Gonium, one of 

 the VblvocinwB, which presents itself in similar quadripartite aggrega- 

 tions; but there can be little doubt that, as no fructification has yet been 

 seen in it, only its earlier and simpler condition is yet known to us; and 

 its true place cannot be determined until its whole life-history shall have 

 been followed out. 



313. Another form of Fungous vegetation that develops, itself within 

 the living body, and which is of great economic importance as well as of 

 scientific interest, is i\Q Botrytis bassiana (Fig. 200), a kind of 'mould,' 

 the growth of which is the real source of the disease termed muscardine, 



FIG. 200 



Botrytis bassiana : A, the fungus as it first appears at the orifices of the stigmata; B, tubular 

 Ulaments, bearing short branches, as seen two days afterwards ; E, magnified view of the same ; c, 

 D, appearance of filaments on the fourth and sixth days ; F, masses of mature spores falling off 

 the branches, with filaments proceeding from them. 



which formerly carried off Silk- worms in large numbers, just when they 

 were about to enter the chrysalis state, to the great injury of their 

 breeders. The plant presents itself under a considerable variety of forms 

 (A-F), all of which, however, are of extremely simple structure, consist- 

 ing of elongated or rounded cells, connected in necklace-like filaments, 

 very nearly as in the ordinary ' bead-moulds.' The sporules of this fun- 

 gus, floating in the air, enter the breathing-pores (Fig. 433) which open 

 into the tracheal system of the Silkworm: they first develop themselves 

 within the air-tubes, which are soon blocked up by their growth; and 

 they then extend themselves through, the fatty mass beneath the skin, 



