114 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
time be Fungi still. Embry ological, developmental, and even 
structural data, are with these taxonomists of no account ; a re- 
ceptacle containing spores, never mind whence derived, and no 
matter what it produces, constitutes with them the neplus ultra of 
what they are pleased to term a Fungus. With the intelligent 
biologist, however, who approaches the question, familiar with 
the fundamental structural, and developmental phenomena of 
other lower organic groups, and who is qualified accordingly to 
strike a just balance in accordance with the evidence, it is herewith 
predicated that the days in which these organisms shall be ac- 
counted Fungi, or even vegetable types, are already numbered. 
Every successive stage in their life-history, from their first exit 
from the spore until their final resolution into similar reproductive 
bodies, may be consistently correlated with those of the typical 
Protozoa, and with them alone. With the Fungi, on the other 
hand, their likeness, as manifested only in the matured spore- 
receptacle, is altogether superficial and illusory. In the pages of 
‘ Grevillea’ the writer has been accused of an attempt ‘ to squeeze 
the Myxomycetes into the animal kingdom by stealth.’ The pre- 
sent article constitutes in itself, perhaps, the fullest refutation of 
this charge. The stronger and more intense the light from all 
sides concentrated upon the question at issue the better. Above 
all things, moreover, let the light be reflected on the subject by 
means of the mirrors and condensers of our compound micro- 
scopes. Let each for himself work out the simple morphological 
and developmental data that must ultimately decide the point. 
But before all things let the subject be approached by those 
possessing so sufficient a practical acquaintance with all cognate 
organisms as shall forewarn and forearm them against the 
innumerable pitfalls that will otherwise encompass them on 
every side. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE III. 
The letters n. and c. v. have the same meaning throughout, signifying , respectively, 
the nucleus or endoplast , and the contractile vesicle. 
Figs. 1-20. AZthalium septicum, Fries. Fuligo varians, Somm. ( after 
De Barg). 
Fig. 1. Portion of margin of ripe sporangium showing crust-like outer wall 
and internal spore mass, natural size. 
Fig. 2. Fragment of internal, horny network, or ‘ capillitium/ x 390. 
Fig. 3. Three isolated spores, x 390. 
Figs. 4-7. Amoehiform germs being liberated through the rupture of the 
spore-wall ; that at 7 entirely free, x 390. 
Figs. 8-11. Successive flagelliferous or monadiform phases of the same germs. 
