1892. ] A New Order of Schizomycetes. 397 
indurated and solid, its strength being often further increased 
in slender forms by a decided spiral twist. 
This primarily tubular character of the cystophore is well 
shown in specimens of C. aurantiacus when cultivated with 
very moist surroundings. In such cases even after the cysto- 
-phore has attained its full height a central clearly differen- 
tiated column of active individuals may be seen moving up to 
the cysts which are in process of formation at its summit (fig. 
13). In its development the cystophore shows all degrees of 
complexity from the short supporting base (which may be 
wholly absent) of C. /ichenicolus, to the elongate form in C. cro- 
catus which may produce branches of the fifth or even sixth 
order. 
In considering the encysted condition of these organisms, 
two distinct categories are recognizable in connection with 
this state, one in which the individuals thus encysted show 
little or no modification from the rod-like vegetative state, the 
other in which they are converted into definite spores. 
In the first instance the form of the cyst varies considerably 
presenting in the genus Chondromyces the series illustrated by 
C. serpens, C. lichenicolus,. C. aurantiacus and C. crocatus 
(figs. 24, 23, 22, 15, 14 and 6) and may be further modified 
by a more or less complete fusion of adjacent cysts originally 
i It in the anas-_ 
€nvelope. 3 
The substance of these cysts, composed partly o 
f rods and 
Partly of a firm and surprisingly coherent matrix, a e 
aturity even when examined under a high power 0” e 
s matter which 
Microscope, to be composed of stringy aay fficulty. I 
i ith the greatest difmculty- 
| crushing wit . & of staining agents 
that the presence of any definite bodies whatever has om 
Sts can be made out. Here and there the closely adhering 
