1904] CURRENT LITERATURE 391 
the “protocorm.” The cells in the micropylar two-thirds of this spherical proto- 
corm divide little or not at all, but the cells of the antipodal extremity form 
a small-celled meristem which passes over directly into the meristem of the 
“Dlastema” or ‘‘metacormal bud.’ The blastema invades the endosperm as a 
broad, blunt cylinder, the protocormal tissue being forced back through the neck 
of the archegonium, many of its cells often being crushed. The metacormal 
bud is meristematic throughout, but soon two “growth-foci,” those of stem and 
Toot, are organized in its axis and very close together. Later the primordia of 
the two cotyledons are organized in the marginal region of the broad apical 
meristem. Thus in the organization of the embryo much of the original proto- 
cormal tissue is not involved, heretofore being described as a rudimentary sus- 
pensor. There are usually two cotyledons, but in certain of the material three 
cotyledons were quite common; they are normally equal and entire, and spring 
apart when liberated from the seed. The anatomy of the embryo, including 
its histogenesis, is also described.—J. M. C. . 
Brssry has studied the effect of various external factors on the pigment 
formation in several fusarium-like fungi.2t The plants used were (1) two fungi, 
closely resembling each other, isolated from the roots of diseased sesamum plants, 
(2) Neocosmos pora vasinfecta and (3) its variety nivea, and (4) Fusarium cul- 
mortem. Of these the first four when grown on acid media produce a red pigment 
Which changes to dark blue when treated with alkalies. ‘The fungi were grown in 
Kyor’s solution to which the substances to be tested were added: No general 
relation could be established between the composition of the culture medium 
and the production of pigment. Mono-, di-, tri-, and polysaccharides generally 
save a-red or violet pigment, which changed to blue in cases where the culture 
ne alkaline during the experiment (gelose). Organic acids gave a scarlet 
~ lor, except palmitic acid which is not soluble. Salts of the acids with few excep- 
Save no pigment. In alkaline media no pigment production takes place. 
bsence of air also suppresses the development of the coloring matter. ese 
Btalso produce a yellow pigment whose formation is independent of the char- 
ve of the substratum. Light and oxygen are necessary for its production. 
Pigments are formed in the cells of the fungi and not primarily in the sub- 
as has been stated.—H. HASSELBRING. 
oo *? mycological studies of endotrophic mycorhizas pe eee 
of Pog » Alnus, and Myrica have given the following results: In = es an 
ate the mycelium of the fungus develops extensively, os sed coll 
divides _- ata by the cells of the host. The nucleus of cake ack 
‘ as: ies ; - 
— edly amitotically, the nuclei increasing greatly in 
Flore, Bessey, Ernst A., Ueber die Bedingungen der F arbbildung bei Fusarium. 
391-334. 1904. ‘ cots 
Wiss, slags -, Cytologische Studien iiber die endotrophen Mykorrhizen. J io 
37°643-684. pls. 14-15. 1902 
