THE MVXOMYCETES OK PICTOU COUNTV. — MOORE. 169 



ot a hvaliiic ])rut(»plasmic. groniid suljstaiK'c wliieli. iu the 

 periphery, is free from granules, IniT Avithiu is tilled Avith 

 pjasniodie grains and frequently grains of carlxniate of lime, 

 and shews also numerous vacuoles. The interior is also tra- 

 versed by a network of channels in which streaming movements 

 are continually going on. The How in these channels is rythmic, 

 j)ersisting in one direction for a period of from one to two 

 minutes, then reversing and continuing in the opposite direction 

 for a similar period. The streaming, liowever. ciintinncs for a 

 somewhat longer period in tilie direction of the general move- 

 ment of the Plasmodium. This advances hy the ectosare ])ush- 

 ing out in the direction of movement followed bv a How of the 

 interior granular substance. Then follows a shoi't ])aiisc, dur- 

 ing which tdie advancing margin withdraws somewliat. Imt some 

 of the gain made is retained. The next onward nio\<iii(Mir of 

 the ectosare carries the l)order beyond the line ])i-evit)usly 

 attained. In this way, by a series of jiul-ation-, a general 

 onward movement <»f the mass is accomplished. 



Xumerous nu<'lei are observable in the substance of the ])las- 

 modium, and. as its mass increases, tiiere is a corresponding 

 increase in the nund)er of nuclei l)y karyokinetic division. The 

 nuclei are undoubtedly those of the original swarmers which 

 coalesced to form the plasmodium, and the ])rodncr of rheir 

 division. 



In addition To the nu.clei. ])lasmo!li(' granuh's and r<^fu-e ov 

 semi-digested material, there ai'c found in the intei-ior of rlie 

 Plasmodia of many species, granules of the carbonate of iime. 

 Associated with the granules, more particularly those of lime, 

 are the pigmentvS which impart to many plasmodia bright ami 

 characteristic colors. The. plasnir)dia of Phymnnn rhrsrcus 

 and FitJif/o ovata, for example, exhibit brigVat shades of yellow, 

 that of Fhysarum rjlohulifenoi} has a delicate lavender cohn-ing, 

 that of LycogaJa epidendrum a faint rose. The prevailing color 

 among jdasmodia, however, i.s a watery or opaque white or grev. 



