ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
513 
probable that the fungus is the persistent chlamydosporic and micro- 
conidial stages of a Sclerotinia allied to S. Vaccinii , the perfect stage of 
which has been partially or entirely suppressed. 
Phyllogaster, a new Genus of Phalloideae. — Under the name 
Phyllogaster saccatus , Mr. A. P. Morgan * * * § describes the type of a now 
genus of Phalloideae, with the following diagnosis : — Mycele fibrous, 
much branched ; peridium obovoid, consisting of two concrete layers, an 
inner and an outer one, rupturing irregularly; glebe composed of 
numerous roundish irregular masses or lobes of a green colour, attached 
to the inner surface of the upper part of the peridium ; spores minute, 
oblong, hyaline. The genus constitutes a bond of connection between 
the Phalloideae and the Lycoperdaceae. 
Mr. It. Thaxter f gives a detailed description of the same species ; and, 
from the absence of any volva or receptacle differentiated as such in the 
mature condition, suggests the establishment of a third subdivision of the 
Phalloideae, to be termed Phyllogastrejs. He proposes some modifica- 
tions in the generic diagnosis, especially from the fact that the peridium 
consists only of a single layer covered by an evanescent cortex, and 
coarsely reticulated through the presence of numerous irregular thin 
areas, which become perforate at maturity. Its nearest affinities are 
with the Clathreae. 
Luminosity of* Pleurotus olearius.J — A fresh series of observations 
by Prof. G. Arcangeli confirms him in his previous statement that the 
phosphorescence of this fungus, though most strongly displayed in the 
laminae, is not confined to the receptacle. It is accompanied by an 
elevation of temperature amounting to from 0* 7-1*1°, and is the result 
of respiration. Its function is probably to assist in the dissemination 
of the spores by attracting nocturnal animals. 
Myxomycetes. 
Labyrinthule8e.§— Prof. W. Zopf has studied the structure of this 
little-known group of Mycetozoa, and adds one species, Labyrinthula 
Cienkowskii , to the two previously described by Cienkowski. 
The species described carries on a partly saprophytic, partly parasitic 
existence on freshwater Vaucherise. The vegetative structure is com- 
posed of amoebiform bodies coalescing with one another by means of 
pseudopodes, which are continually extruded and retracted. These 
pseudopodes pierce the wall of the alga-filament, and the amoebiform 
structures form a network within it. They consist of granular colour- 
less protoplasm, and contain a nucleus and a vacuole. The formation of 
the fructification is preceded by a contraction of the pseudopodes, and 
occurs both outside the alga and in its vegetative and fertile branches. 
The amoebiform structures become quiescent, round themselves off, 
invest themselves with a membrane, and pass into the spore-condition. 
The germination of the spores was not observed. 
* Journ. Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., xv. (1893) pp. 171-2 (1 pi.), 
t Bot. Gazette, xviii. (1893) pp 117-21 (1 pi.). 
X Atti It. Accad. Lincei, vi. (1890) pp. 197-214. Cf. this Journal, 1889, p. 
§ Beitr. z. Phys. u. Morph, uiederer Organismen (Zopf), Pleft 2, pp. c 
(2 pis.) 1892. ' ,lk 
426. 
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