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1906] BRIEFER ARTICLES 349 
WAGER, however, was of the opinion that in some cases more than two 
nuclei move into the young basidium from the multinucleate cells of the 
hyphae. After the fusion of the primary nuclei, the secondary nucleus 
increases greatly in size. By two successive divisions of this nucleus, 
four nuclei are produced for the spores. In basidia with more than four 
spores, as in some Gastromycetes, there are probably more than two 
divisions. In Dacryomyces, which has basidia with only two spores, 
there has been some difference of opinion, but it seems probable that 
the two nuclear divisions take place in the usual way. DANGEaRD (1) 
observed only one division in D. deliquescens Bull. IstvANFFI (3) 
found that in D. chrysocomus Bull. there are two successive divisions, 
and the four nuclei arrange themselves in a row and move in pairs into 
the branches of the basidium. 
However, the young spore receives but one nucleus, as one remains 
behind in each branch of the basidium. JurEt (4) worked with D. deliques- 
cens Bull. and found that there are two successive divisions of the nucleus, 
but each spore receives a single nucleus, the others remaining behind 
in the basidium. 
The material for this study was secured during the summer of 1904 
from plants collected in the vicinity of Ithaca, N. Y. Small pieces were 
cut from the pilei of young plants soon after their collection and were 
placed in 1 per cent. chromacetic acid where they remained 12-24 hours. 
The material was then washed 3-4 hours in running water, dehydrated 
in grades of alcohol, and passed gradually into paraffin. Sections were 
cut 3-5 » in thickness. In sections showing some mature spores several 
stages in the development of the basidium are found. It is better, how- 
ever, for the study of the young stages to take sections from younger plants. 
In fixing material from plants so young that none of the basidia bear 
sterigmata, there is a possibility of confusing these plants with A. verna. 
To avoid this, small pieces were cut from the pilei of the young plants 
and these plants were then placed in a moist chamber and allowed to 
continue their growth until the spores were produced. Then by freehand 
sections of the pileus the species could be exactly determined. A. bi- 
Sporigera is so distinct in appearance, however, on account of its more 
slender form, that after one becomes familiar with it there is no difficulty 
in distinguishing it from A. verna, even before it is fully mature. 
The sections were stained with safranin and gentian violet, which 
gives very good results. The preparations were studied with Zeiss 2™™ 
apochromatic, 1.40 aperture, and oculars 8, 12, and 18. Drawings were 
made with camera lucida and ocular 18. 
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