58 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
of Vaucheria by Notommata Wernecki. The outgrowths caused by the 
parasite branch dichotomously or tricliotomously, while the normal 
Vaucheria- filaments branch only monopodially. The membrane of the 
gall ditfers from that of the ordinary thallus in thickness and stratifi- 
cation, and contains substances peculiar to it. The gall is surrounded 
by a thin layer of mucilage resulting from the disorganisation of the 
outer layers. The galls probably arise from lateral branches of the 
thallus formed in consequence of the destruction of the growing point 
by the parasite. The protoplasm of Vaucheria displays a remarkable 
resistance to the attacks of the Notommata , which is a true parasite, 
having nothing but an injurious effect on the host. 
A new species, Vaucheria Walzi, is described. 
Fungi. 
Distribution of Fungi by Snails.* * * § — According to Herr G. Wagner, 
the carriage of spores by snails plays an important part in the propa- 
gation of Fungi. This was established in the cases of Plasmopora nivea , 
the oidium of Erysiphe communis , Puccinia Garyophyllearum , &c. 
Membranaceous Mycele.| — M. C. van Bambeke describes a mycele 
which forms extensive white pellicles. The separate hyphae contain 
irregular flat swellings, which the author regards as spores, and believes 
that they perform a function as reservoirs of reserve food-material. 
Chytridium simulans sp. n.J — M. P. A. Dangeard describes this new 
species of Chytridiaceae, parasitic on an aquatic fungus, probably a 
species of Pytliium , It is nearly allied to C. suhangulosum, and consists 
of a zoosporange, with a rudimentary nutrient filament at its base. 
New Genera of Fungi. § — Abbe J. Bresadola describes the following 
new genera from Brazil : — Hydnochsete : — Beceptaculum resupinatum, 
suberoso-coriaceum, hymenium aculeato-dentatum, aculeis subulatis 
fulvis prseditum ; basidia tetraspora ; sporse hyalinae. In Hydnaceae, 
near to Asterodon. H. hadia on wood. Molleria : — Stroma subcarnosa, 
verruciforme, parenchymati foliorum innatum ; perithecia plus minusve 
immersa; asci polyspori, sporidia subfusoidea, continua, hyalina. In 
Hypocreacese, near Polystigma . H. sulphurea on living or dead leaves 
of trees. 
Herr P. Hennings || finds the following new genus of Gasteromycetes 
among fungi from New Zealand : — Clavogaster : — Perithecium subcoria- 
ceum, persistens, e stratis binis discoloribus efformatum, clavatum, stipi- 
tatum ; capillitium subfasciatum, in cellulas favosas polyedras ; sporis 
levibus, ellipsoideis, coloratis, pedicellatis. Near to Hippoperdon. 
Behaviour of the Nucleus in the Development of the Fructifica- 
tion of the AscomycetesA — Mr. B. A. Harper has followed out the 
process of nuclear division in the formation of the ascus, especially 
in Sphserotheca Castagnei , Erysiphe communis , and Ascobolus sp. The 
ascogones of these three genera resemble one another in essential points. 
* Zeitsclir. f. Pflanzenkr., 1896, p. 144. See Hedwigia, xxxv. (1896) Rep., p. 110. 
t Bot. Jaarb. Dodonaea, viii. (1896) p. 121 (1 pi.). See Hedwigia, xxxv. (1896) 
Rep., p. 118. X Le Botaniste (Daugeard), v. (1896) pp. 21-6 (1 fig.). 
§ Hedwigia, xxxv. (1896) pp. 287 and 298. || Tom. cit.. pp. 303-4 (4 figs.). 
1 Jahrb. f. wiss. Bot. (Pfeifer u. Strasburger), xxix. (1896) pp. 655-84 (2 pis.). 
