78 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
Structure of Phallus impudicus.* * * § — M. C. v. Bambeke describes in 
great detail the morphology of Phallus (Ityphallus) impudicus, espe- 
cially of the peridiiim. He states that it consists of five layers, the mode 
of formation of which is fully described, as is the nature of the bypli£e 
of which they are composed. In the outermost layer occur imperfect 
loop-connection?, and intercalary cavities which contain sphaerocrystals 
of calcium oxalate. In all the layers are hyphae with swollen ends, 
containing a homogeneous mucilaginous substance, which the author 
regards as analogous to the latex-tubes of Lactarius, Bussula, &c. 
Ward’s Diseases of Plants.| — After a general account of parasitic 
and saprophytic Fungi, and the mode in which they act in the “damping 
off” of seedlings, and in the production of “fingers and toes,” “anbury,” 
and “club root,” Prof. Marshall Ward gives a succinct description of 
the life-history and j^athogenic action of the fungi which produce the 
potato-disease, the smut of corn, “ bladder plums ” or “ pocket plums,” 
the lily-disease, the ergot of rye and other grasses, the hop-disease, and 
the rust of wheat. 
Protophyta. 
a. Schizopliycese. 
Structure of Diatoms.J — In his contribution to the algal flora of 
Siberia, M. W. Koslowskij describes a new species of Pinnularia, 
P. oblongo-linearis, which presents the peculiarity of the cells always 
having two nuclei lying on each side of the shorter plane of symmetry, 
each imbedded in a mass of denser protoplasm bounded by a strongly 
refringent protoplasmic membrane. 
The author contests Wallich and Pfitzer’s views of the double 
character of the valve of diatoms. It is a peculiar and temporary 
phenomenon belonging only to certain forms, and occurs only when the 
individual is in the act of dividing, never in young individuals ; while 
many species do not exhibit it at any time. He further states that in 
the act of division entire young valves are never formed, but only the 
sides, without new girdle-bands, which coalesce directly with the old 
band. It is therefore not necessary that successive generations should 
decrease in size. The double character of the shell results, when it 
does occur, from the girdle-band splitting into three layers, the middle 
one of which is converted into mucilage. 
The author further explains the wavy appearance of the front-view 
of Cymatopleura Solea. The valve-side has a row of transverse furrows 
and ridges, which, in different individuals, are either confluent or sym- 
metrical. 
Ilaphidodiscus.§ — Mr. C. M. Yorce describes this rare and anomalous 
genus of diatoms from Virginia, and proposes the following diagnosis : — 
Valves discoid, with a central thickening or obscure nodule, and an 
interrupted raphe terminated by minute spines or spiniform nodules 
* Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belgique, xxviii. (1889) pp. 7-50 (3 pis.). 
t ‘ Diseases of Plants,’ by H. M. Ward, London, 1889, 12ino, 19G pp. (53 figs.). 
X Arb. Kievv. Naturf. Gesell., ix. (1888) pp. 395-436 (1 pi.) (Russian). See Bot. 
Centralbl., xl. (1889) p. 40. 
§ Microscope (Detroit), ix. (1889) pp. 132-7 (1 pi.). 
