On the Bed Mould of Barley. By C. G. Matthews. 323 



to remain for a few hours, when a deposition of the finer particles 

 in suspension took place. 



The deposit in each case was examined under the Microscope ; 

 that from cylinder No. 1 showed only earthy particles, humus, and 

 sand, and was neglected. The deposit from No. 2 cylinder yielded 

 several objects of interest, such as bacteria, infusoria, and mould 

 spores. Among the latter were crescent spores of the red mould 

 now under consideration. 



Yarious kinds of barley, including Saale, French, Chilian, and 

 Californian samples, were treated as above, and yielded similar 

 bodies, though in varying quantities. An examination of the 

 accumulated dust under barley-heaps was also made : the greater 

 portion consisted of earthy matter, but in addition, mould spores, 

 infusoria, and bacteria were found similar to those obtained 

 from barley. The washings of oats, horse-beans, and the ripe 

 ear of wheat also yielded some or other of the organisms 

 described. 



There can be little doubt, then, that in the first stage of the 

 malting process the spores of various moulds are present in quantity 

 in the " steep," being introduced into the cistern with the barley, 

 and although the greater portion may be removed on withdrawal of 

 the steep-water, yet even if the air did not furnish fresh spores, 

 there would be left, in all probability, sufiicient to cause a mould- 

 growth on injured or weakly corns whilst on the malting floor, 

 other conditions being favourable thereto. 



In order that a thorough examination of the growing red mould 

 might be made, it was necessary to find convenient methods of 

 cultivation, and to this end various experiments were undertaken. 

 The first thing tried was the crushing and moistening of the affected 

 corns, the mass thus formed being allowed to develope the mould 

 under a glass shade. In this way small tufts of the mould were 

 obtained, but it appeared desirable to grow it on a larger scale, and 

 to do this, germinating barley from the fifth day and upward out 

 of steep was worked into a stiff paste by pestle and mortar, a little 

 water being added to assist the operation. This paste was then put 

 into small dishes, and a few red corns were partially imbedded in 

 each quantity, the dishes being placed in a wire frame, resting on 

 an ordinary china plate containing a httle water, the arrangement 

 being completed by covering with a bell-glass. 



Very fine silky tufts of the red mould were thus obtained from 

 1-2 to 3-4ths in. in height and nearly 2 inches in diameter, spread 

 over the nourishing surface, and with no tendency, during the 

 winter months, to invasion by the commonly occurring moulds. 

 In each cultivation there was a considerable production of the 

 crimson colouring matter which was difi'used amongst the plasma, 

 and the hyphse were tinged with it where they sprang from the 



