SLUrE FUNGUS. 



i5i 



minute bodies have the power of moviug about. These rudimentary 

 little fungi (" 6"), so to call them, can multiply by division, or, on the 

 other hand, several may join together into an irregularly shaped mass 

 called a Plasmodium. From this the attack takes its name Plasmodio- 

 phora, signifying Plasmodium-heSbVev. This Plasmodium, it is found, 

 can now further extend by joining other bodies (plasmodia, that is) of 

 the same nature, or by absorbing contents of the spores. It can creep 

 along by the extension of arm-like processes along its sides into which 

 the contents of the body of the mass press forward. " The Plasmodium 

 is enclosed by a dense hyaline layer, and this in turn is surrounded by 

 a thin coat of mucilage, which mucilage is sometimes left behind by 

 the progressing Plasmodium, like a trail of slime from a Slug." * From 

 this slimy deposit the name of " Slime Fungus " is derived. "Without 

 pursuing the subject in full detail, it may be enough for practical use 

 to add that presently these plasmodia divide into minute specks, each 

 of these becomes covered with a fine membrane, and thus once again 

 the infestation is started, as figured at the opposite page. 



The method of infestation is for the embryo Shme Fungi to be 

 absorbed by the rootlets, and, when there, cause a distension of the 

 infested cells, and a drag on the juices of the plant to support the 

 fungoid infestation which cause respectively the well-known swellings, 

 and also the loss of growing power in the plant by reason of the 

 abstracted sap, independently of the too frequent total loss of the plant 

 from the subsequent decay. 



The gradually advancing progress of the disease in its effects on 

 the form and condition of the affected roots is much more easily 

 observable. At first it may be shown merely by variously shaped 

 swellings of the main or side roots. This is caused by the distension 

 of the cells of which the roots are composed. These enlargements 

 increase until sometimes, as with the form known as Club (see figure 

 at p. 149, after photograph from life), the main root or underground 

 stock is enormously enlarged into a mere shapeless mass ; or the long 

 irregular lobes, or finger-like growths, may be found, which, in their 

 swelled and lengthened form, bear the fancied resemblance to Fingers- 

 and-Toes, which have given this name to the lobed form of the disease. 

 This may be found affecting the solid main root, or what would in 

 a healthy state have been the ordinary side roots, until they become 

 irregular tuber or spindle-shaped masses attached by a short length of 

 fairly healthy little swelled root to the main root itself. 



The name of Anbury appears to be more especially given to the 

 form (see Fi'ontispiece) in which the root is greatly diseased, swelled, 

 and variously misshapen ; but there is not much tendency to the 



• * Diseases of Field and Garden Crops,' by Worthington G. Smith, pji. 95, 96. 



