1012 REPORT—1896, 
only other forms yet noted in proximity to Corallorhiza are Cortearius subfer- 
rugineus Batsch. and Mycena umbellifera Sch., but further evidence with regard to: 
these is at present wanting. 
5. On a New Genus of Schizomycetes, showing Longitudinal Fission. 
(Astrobacter Jonesii.) By A. Vaucuan Jennines, F.LS., 7.GS., 
Demonstrator of Geology and Botany in the Royal College of Science, 
Dublin. 
The great section of lower fungoid organisms known as the Schizomycetes is. 
characterised by the predominance of reproduction by the simple method of fission. 
In almost all cases the direction of division is transverse to the longer axis of the 
cell, and this is, in fact, commonly regarded as constant throughout the group. 
One exception has, however, been described by Metschnikoff in the form named 
by him Pasteuria ramosa, a pear-shaped organism in which longitudinal division. 
produces more or less radiate groups of pyriform cells. 
The object of the present note is to record the existence of a second genus, in 
which longitudinal fission results in the formation of a still more distinctly stellate: 
structure. 
The organism in question was found by Mr. A. Coppen Jones, F.L.S., in fresh 
water in the neighbourhood of Tiibingen, associated with large quantities of 
Spirillum undula. It was, in fact, only after staining the material to demonstrate: 
the cilia in the latter that it was first observed, unfortunately too late for investi- 
gation in the living condition. 
Simple rod-like forms may be found, but more frequently V-shaped or 
Y-shaped cells resulting from their longitudinal fission. After division the new 
segments become more and more widely separated at the ends till regular three- or 
four-rayed stars are produced. In later ‘stages symmetrical six- and eight-rayed 
stars are formed, but older individuals with ten or more rays are less regular in 
structure. There is no tendency to the pear-shaped swelling seen in Pasteuria, 
and no spores have been observed. Owing to the intensity of the staining, little- 
can be said at present as to their internal structure, and details as to the life- 
history await further investigation. 
There is no doubt, however, that the organism is allied to the bacteria, and. 
that its peculiar shape is the result of longitudinal division. It may in future be 
desirable to divide the Schizomycetes into two sections, those in which the divi-— 
sion is transverse (Diaschize), and those in which it is longitudinal (Paraschize). 
The generic name proposed is at once suggested by its form; the specific name 
is in honour of the discoverer, whose valuable work on the tubercle bacillus is now 
being recognised by all bacteriologists. 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. On the Arrangement of the Vascular Bundles in certain Nympheacex- 
by D. T. Gwynnr-Vaucauan, B.A. Cantab. 
One of the most remarkable characteristics of this order is the very extensive. 
prevalence of the astelic system in the arrangement of the vascular bundles of 
their stems; however, during an examination into the structure of various 
members of the order, the fact that other systems of arrangement also are present 
came to light. Thus in Nymphea flava aud N. tuberosa the plants produce small 
tubers at the ends of stalks or stolons of greater or less length, and in these stalks. 
or stolons the vascular bundles are not arranged in an astelic manner, but are 
grouped around three to five different centres, forming thus so many separate 
steles, or at least so many groups possessing all the characteristics of definite 
steles. Each of these is surrounded by its own endodermis, and is composed of 
three to four vascular bundles with very distinct and prominent phloéms, while a 
small canal in the centre of the stele represents their disintegrated xylems. 
