POLYMORPHIC FUNGI. 
403 
tous species. From this example it will be readily understood 
what we mean when writing of ‘ poly- 
morphic fungi.” 
Having thus, as it were, defined our 
terms, we will proceed to notice two 
instances of apparent polymorphism 
which have come before us. We say 
“ apparent ” advisedly, because in the 
second instance only suspicions can be 
predicated. Some two or three years 
ago, we collected a quantity of dead 
box-leaves, on which grew a mould 
named by Link, Penicillium roseum. 
This mould has a roseate tint, and oc- 
curs in patches on the leaves; the 
threads are erect and branched above, 
bearing oblong, somewhat spindle- 
shaped, spores. When collected these 
leaves were examined, and nothing was 
observed or noted upon them except 
the Penicillium. After some time, cer- 
Fig. 7 
vicillium 
r Pe c 
ainly between two and three years, ably magnified; 
E ï of spores 
during which the box remained undis- 
zm, consider- 
he 
a. Di portion of chain 
turbed, circumstances led to the examination again of one or two 
Fig. 77. 
of the leaves, and afterwards of the greatér 
number of them, and the patches of Penicil- 
lium were found to be intermixed with an- 
other mould of a higher development and far 
different character (Fig, 77). This mould or 
rather Mucor, for it belongs to the Mucorini, 
consists of erect branching threads, many of 
the branches terminating in a delicate, glo- 
bose, glassy head, or sporangium, containing 
numerous very minute subglobose sporidia. 
This species has been named Mucor hyalinus. 
The habit is very much like that of the Peni- 
cillium, but without any roseate tint. It is 
Fertile thread of Mucor almost certain that the Mucor could not have 
lagen bearing sporan- 
amined, and the leaves on which it hac 
been present when the Penicillium was ex- 
1 grown were enclosed in the 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. YV. 26 
