ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
449 
(2 sp.), Boudiera (3 sp.), Saccobolus (9 sp.), and Ascobolus (22 sp.). The 
Helvellacete comprise the three families Rhizinem, Geoglossem, and 
Helvellete. In the Rliizineae are included Psilopezia (2 sp.), Bhizina 
(2 sp.), and Sphserosoma (2 sp.) ; in the Geoglosseae Mitrula (6 sp.), 
Microglossum (3 sp.), Geoglossum (8 sp.), Spathularia (3 sp.), Leotia 
(3 sp.), Cudoniella (4 sp.), Gudonia (1 sp.), and Vibrissea (3 sp.) ; and 
finally, the Helvelleae include Helvetia (15 sp.), Gyromitra (7 sp.), Verpa 
(7 sp.), and Morchella (11 sp.). The volume concludes with a long list 
of the additions and corrections required in consequence of the time 
during which the publication has been proceeding. 
Aspergillous Tuberculosis in Hair-Combers.* * * § — M. M. Renon has 
observed two cases of Aspergillus infection in hair-combers. These 
people buy the hair from rag-dealers, and, if dry, work it up at once, 
but if not, dust it with rye meal. Two persons in one family engaged 
in this occupation sickened with severe haemoptysis and symptoms in- 
dicative of extensive pulmonary tuberculosis. Two birds in the same 
room died of wasting in 14-21 days. In the expectoration of the 
patients no tubercle bacilli were found, and six guinea-pigs sub- 
cutaneously inoculated with the sputum died in 48 days without a trace 
of tuberculosis. In the sputum canids and a much ramified mycele were 
found. The culture contained Aspergillus fumigatus , which is patho- 
genic to rabbits. In the dust of the room, as well as in the rye meal, 
Aspergillus was demonstrated, but not in the untreated hair. 
Is the Red Torula a genuine Saccharomyces ? \ — Mr. J. C. Bay 
criticises Swan’s article on the endospore formation and general descrip- 
tion of a red yeast, raising the objection that the organism has not been 
sufficiently or properly examined. There is no evidence, he says, that pure 
cultures of the red Torula were obtained, nor is it stated whether the 
spores escaped from the mother-cell and underwent further development. 
Blue Yeast.J — A malady affecting dried cake-yeast, which renders it 
useless for brewing or baking purposes, becomes evident by its assuming 
a grey to blue colour, turning greasy, and developing a disagreeable 
odour. According to Herr G. Marpmann, the disorder is due to con- 
tamination with a chromogenic bacterium, which, according to the 
cultivation medium, produces a yellow, brown, or blue pigment. Hydro- 
fluoric acid or formaldehyde should be used as a protective against its 
development. 
Ang-khak, a Chinese Fungus Pigment for Colouring Edibles.§ 
— According to Prinsen Geerligs, ang-khak is composed of granite-red 
rice grains, and is much used for colouring edibles and beverages. For 
making ang-khak in bulk, boiled rice spread on dishes is mixed with 
some ang-khak, and is kept in a dark cool place for six days, by which 
time the rice is covered with a white fungus, and is itself stained red. 
The dried mass, seasoned with garlic or mustard, forms the export 
* Journ. des Conn. Med., 1895, No. 44. See Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. u. Parasi- 
tenk., l te Abt., xix. 1896, pp. 561-2. 
f Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. u. Parasitenk., 2 te Abt., ii. (1896) pp. 259-61. Cf. this 
Journal, ante , p. 219. i Zeitschr. f. angewandte Mikr., ii. (1896) pp. 9-10. 
§ Chem. Zeit., 1895, No. 57. See Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. u. Parasitenk., 2 te Abt., 
ii. (1896) pp. 284-5. Cf. this Journal, ante , p. 340. 
