378 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [DECEMBER 
After various means of culture had been tried, the van Tieg- 
hem hanging drop proved the most satisfactory. 
In the selection of material such fungi were chosen as could 
be obtained in abundance, could be easily kept in stock culture, 
were not liable to become seriously impure, and, of most impor- 
tance, such as would uniformly grow in the kind of culture 
medium used. 
Botrytis vulgaris Fr., Macrosporium (sp. ?) from the fruit of 
Datura Tatula, Gleosporium Musarum C. & M., and Uromyces 
caryophyllinus (Schrank) Schr., were selected. Penicillium crus- 
taceum (Linn.) Fries was useful in tube cultures. 
Many other fungi were tried but presented disadvantages 
which prohibited their use. 
Several hundred cultures were made to ascertain whether 
there was any toxic effect from the cells, cement, or oil used to 
seal the cell, and to note whether or not nourishing materials 
were useful in the solution. 
METHODS. 
The cultures were made in hanging drop in van Tieghem 
cells used in the usual manner with vaseline as an adhesive. It 
was not found necessary to place them ina moist chamber, as 
they did not dry if carefully sealed. Cultures were uniformly 
examined about twenty-four hours after their preparation and 
every time that a series of cultures was made, a series of check 
cultures in distilled water was prepared. In every case where 
the checks failed to grow, all negative results were discarded 
The cells themselves were frequently thoroughly cleansed and 
the cover glasses were carefully wiped each time before using 
washed in alcohol and wiped again. 
In order to facilitate the making of cultures a tube was bent 
as shown in the figure on opposite page. By slightly raising the 
long end the liquid rises in the short end and a hanging drop 
of any desired size is readily placed on the cover glass. 
This tube was washed, then rinsed with the solution under 
observation, then filled with that solution. This and all other 
