522 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [JUNE 
much the appearance of a multipolar spindle. These fibers bear no relation to 
the true spindle which now makes its appearance. No centrosomes were 
observed, and only four chromosomes of which two passed to either pole. 
The chromosomes changed greatly in shape as they moved along the spindle, 
indicating a very plastic nature. The second division follows at once, giving 
rise to the nuclei which pass into the spores. In some instances a third division 
takes place within the basidium, and as a result there is a degeneration of four 
of the nuclei. 
Frres® finds in H ygrophorus conicus that the cells of the trama contain one 
or more pair of nuclei, while the cells of the subhymenium have only a single 
nucleus, each having a errata nucleole and two distinct masses of 
chromatin. Basidia, even the youngest, are uninucleated with the same 
double nature of the chromatic sata Growth of the basidium is accom- 
panied by a corresponding growth in size of the nucleus, and the chromatin 
assumes the nature of a long delicate spireme thread. Following closely upon 
this there is a disappearance of the nuclear membrane and a sudden contraction 
of the spireme into a compact mass surrounded by a granular (plasma) cyto- 
plasm. Spindle fibers now appear (no centrosome was found) and two chromo- 
somes are seen to pass to each pole. The daughter nuclei, which at this stage 
lie near the apex of the basidium, are fully reconstructed and move toward the 
base of the basidium, where they remain while the sterigmata are developed. 
As soon as the sterigmata are fully formed, the nuclei in most cases become 
beaked and pass into the spore and divide; in other instances the division is 
partly completed in the basidium. 
The first of these papers describes a process which is usually considered the 
typical method of nuclear behavior in the higher Basidiomycetes. We have 
here the fusion of nuclei, a synapsis, a spireme (double in its nature), a hetero- 
typic followed by homotypic division. 
In the second paper we have no fusion of nuclei, but stages are described 
and figures given which compare favorably with those of the preceding paper, 
although the author does not admit of chromosome reduction. 
e third paper describes a form unique in that the cells of the trama 
contain more than one nucleus, while the basidium contains but one, and this 
according to the author is not a fusion nucleus. Therefore the division in the 
basidium is not a reduction division —E. M. GILBERT 
Amanita.—Dr. RENE Ferry, former editor of the Revue Mycologique, 
sags recently published a paper of a monographic nature dealing with the 
eadly”” Amanitas,” with special reference to their botanical characters, 
18 Fries, Ros. E., Zur sage der Cytologie von Hygrophorus conicus. Svensk. 
Botanisk. ose 53 242-251. 
19 FERRY, René, Etude sur ve Amanites; les Amanites mortelles. Amanita 
ae pLieore verna, et Amanita virosa. Rev. Mycologique. Suppl. 1. pp. 1- 
6. pls. 1-8. 1911. Saint-Dié (Vosges), France. 4.50 fr. On sale by the author. 
