384 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [ DECEMBER 
an to Sterigmatocystis and Botrytis. Cédocephalum was 
inhibited by 5648, and killed by yy This will perhaps be 
better appreciated if stated in another way. One part by weight 
_ in 273,066 parts beet infusion proved fatal to GEdocephalum, and 
I part in 4,369,066 permitted the germination of but Io per 
cent. of the spores in eleven hours (as compared with 95 per 
cent. in four hours in the checks) and greatly injured the 
mycelial development. In regard to the other forms, I part to 
273,066, although greatly retarding germination, caused a dis- 
tinct stimulation of mycelial growth on the second day. These 
stimulated cultures resembled those growing in media contain- 
ing alcohol. 
Very interesting in this connection are the theories regarding 
the synthesis of starch in green plants, and of the proteids in 
the fungi (Kozlowski ’99), in both of which formaldehyde has 
long been regarded as forming a very important step. These 
theories, particularly that in regard to the synthesis of proteids 
in the fungi, challenge further careful investigation. It seems, 
prima facie, inconceivable that a compound markedly injurious 
to a plant when present in the almost infinite dilution of one 
part of weight in 4,369,0Co parts nutrient medium, as is the case 
of CEdocephalum, should be formed by the protoplasm of that 
plant and be used again in the synthesis of its proteids, as must 
be the case if our theories be correct. 
In regard to the nature of its toxic action we have few data. 
It is believed to act upon the propeptones and the albumins, 
affording compounds which are not readily soluble (pave 
port ’97). 
Ethyl alcohol, C,H ,OH ; 717, 3686, 8602. Alcohol when ie 
trasted with formaldehyde, is apparently non-toxic. One molecu : 
of formaldehyde has powers of inhibiting germination of aie * 
spores equal to those of 2600 molecules of alcohol. The Bes | 
in their killing powers is even greater, being as I : 4300! . 
alcohol is a distinct poison to the protoplasm of plants eee 
moto ’95), being used, in fact, quite extensively as 4 xing 
