X 
THE GUIDE TO NATURE 
is equivalent to wearing two pairs of 
spectacles. If one’s spectacles do not 
suit the eyes then one goes to the opti- 
cian for another kind that will. To say 
the least, spectacles are inconvenient 
to use with the microscope. 
Mycetozoa Grown in the Laboratory. 
BY CHARLES P. TITUS, EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY. 
An experiment made recently re- 
sulted so satisfactorily that other ob- 
servers will surely want to repeat it. 
All nature lovers will enjoy growing 
these interesting organisms. Little 
apparatus is required. 
Starting with spores so tiny that sep- 
arately they are invisible, moisture and 
a mild degree of heat cause them to 
grow and to form as the next step a 
substance similar in appearance to the 
“white” of an egg. This spreads over 
old, damp logs in the woods or on 
vegetation generally, and eventually 
the final stage of some A'arieties pro- 
duces tiny stems with heads filled with 
spores. Other varieties change into 
various colored masses of tangled 
threads strung with spores, while oth- 
ers produce crowds of tiny puffballs of 
many hues, all filled with spores. 
In the deep woods can always be 
found small bits of decayed wood, or 
branches fallen from trees and almost 
ready to drop to pieces. Two or three 
of these pieces should be selected, each 
perhaps eight or nine inches long and 
about an inch and a half in diameter. 
Carry them home in paper or in some 
other convenient receptacle, but do not 
wash them nor remove any of the forest 
earth that may be adherent. 
Procure an ordinary flowerpot of un- 
glazed clay and fill it with any garden 
earth, “planting” the pieces of wood so 
that they protrude for about six inches 
above the surface. Put the flowerpot 
in a dish that will support it and leave 
a space which must be filled with water. 
The water will soak up through the 
earth and the wood, supplying the nec- 
essary moisture for the growth of the 
spores. 
A glass jar should be inverted over 
the apparatus for the double purpose of 
retaining the moisture and excluding 
dust. A sunny window will furnish 
heat which is apparently more neces- 
sarv than light for the growth of the 
strange organisms. 
After a while, tiny mushroomlike ob- 
jects will be noticed on the wood, which 
should occasionally be examined with 
a reading glass or other magnifier. 
When a thick growth of the little ob- 
jects appears, small sections of the 
wood bearing them should be carefully 
cut out with a sharp knife and glued to 
the bottom of pill boxes, and saved for 
examination and study. 
Under a moderate magnification 
many details of the delicacy and beauty 
of the Mycetozoa become visible, and 
provide an endless source of wonder 
and delight. 
There seems to be very little litera- 
ture available as an aid to the study of 
this interesting branch of science. “The 
North American Slime-Moulds,” by 
Thomas H. Macbride (Macmillan, 
1899) i s good, and Arthur Lister’s book 
on the Mycetozoa is beautifully illus- 
trated. The Micrographic Dictionary 
has several articles on Myxomycetes 
and Mycetozoa (the words are syno- 
nyms) with illustrations of various 
species. Harshberger’s Mycology has 
an illustrated chapter describing the 
life history of the Myxomycetes. 
Craig’s Pond. 
In frame of living green 
Our little pond is seen, 
With wooded hills encircling it around, 
A mirror to the sky 
And cloudlets sailing high, 
Its shore for us a perfect picnic ground. 
The way to this retreat, 
Untrod by alien feet. 
Is through a woodland sweet and fresh 
to view, 
Where ferns and shrubs abound. 
And moccasin flower is found. 
In sunny days when Summer still is new. 
A most secluded place 
With every charm and grace, 
That Nature conjures up for our delight; 
We love it through the day, 
And lingeringly stay 
Till warned away by near approach of 
I have found lots of nice, interesting 
things in the woods in my time. One 
thing I am very glad I found and that 
is your fine, clean, wholesome, neat, in- 
structive little magazine which draws 
us closer to nature and the great big 
out of doors. Success is yours and you 
will always be remembered for your 
good works. — J. B. Pardoe. D. D. S., 
Bound Brook. New Jersey. 
