BETTS - THE FUNGI OF THE BEE-HIVE. 153 
On heating in sulphuric acid, a reddish colouring matter is 
extracted from the ascospores, and the ascus-wall is dissolved; the 
other parts of the fungus resist the action of the acid. On heating in 
caustic potash solution, oil-drops appear to exude from the asco- 
spores. ‘ 
This species has a preference for warmth, cultures at 26°-38° C. 
germinating more quickly than those at room temperature, at which, 
however, the fungus did well. Under out-door (winter) conditions, 
germination was delayed and the fungus did not flourish. 
This species grew well on horse-dung, potato, and pollen. It 
seems to dislike acid media, but could grow on them. Gelatine was 
liquefied. No acid was produced. 
Mucor erectus, Bainier. 
This species is very common in and about hives, occurring 
principally as a saprophyte on dead bees. It is improbable that it 
is able to flourish in the living stock; but its spores are frequently 
present on the alighting-boards and about the entrances of hives. 
The fungus has also been cultivated from pellets of pollen taken from 
home-coming bees, and-from the bodies of the bees themselves. 
The vegetative hyphae are of the type usual in the genus, 
branched, non-septate, and containing oil-drops. At intervals swel- 
lings occur. The sporangiophores are branched, having always a 
septum above the branch; in thickness they vary from 9 p to 20 p (in 
exceptional cases portions of the sporangiophore may attain 38 p). 
They are not rigid, but lean up against each other in a tangled 
Fig. 20.—Mucor erectus. Columellae. x 1,400. 
