1892. | A New Order of Schizomycetes. 391 
examined show various degrees of complexity, which reaches 
its maximum in a most remarkable organism, apparently 
identical with the supposed fungus described by Berkeley 
and Curtis under the name of Chondromyces crocatus. In 
this instance we have, following a period of purely vegetative 
activity, the same swarming together of individuals at differ- 
ent points in the colony; but the masses thus formed, in- 
stead of rounding themselves and becoming directly encysted, 
as in the previous instance, continue to rise vertically from 
the substratum into the air. The base of the rising mass be- 
comes constricted; the constricted portion is gradually mod- 
ified into a slender supporting stalk, formed partly of individ- 
uals left behind and partly from a gelatinous substance 
Secreted by the mass as it rises. We have then a mass of 
individuals rising vertically on a slender stalk secreted from 
its base. This stalk may remain quite simple, or through 
the division of the mass into two or more lobes, may become 
: ig: ’ * 
. ‘Such are the extreme variations in the group, $0 far se 
soncerns the differentiation of the cyst-producing generation. 
appear to be, however, other important eres 
divide the forms rather sharply in connection wit 
wuere 
