658 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
cetes. The gonidange contains from four to eight nuclei, each of which 
becomes the nucleus of a zoospore. The oogones contain a very large 
number of nuclei, all of which are found in the oosphere when this has 
become differentiated, nearly all of the rest of the protoplasm of the 
oogone being condensed into the periplasm. Then each nucleus divides 
into two by karyokinesis ; the process being almost identical with that 
in the higher plants. Previous to fertilisation the antherid also con- 
tains a large number of nuclei ; and a fertilising tube is put out, which 
reaches to the central mass of dense protoplasm in the oosphere. As 
soon as the tube comes into contact with the nucleus of the oosphere 
the male nucleus is expelled, and the tube at once collapses ; fusion then 
takes place between the two nuclei. There is no essential difference 
between this process and that which takes place in Angiosperms, 
except in the part played by the centrospheres, which was not observed 
in Cystojous. 
Choanephora.* — Dr. D. D. Cunningham describes a new species of 
this genus of Mucorini, C. Simsoni , parasitic on Ipomsea and Zinnia, 
and saprophytic in various vegetable infusions. He regards the genus 
as presenting affinities with the Basidiomycetes, Ascomycetes, Perono- 
sporeae, and Rhizidieae. The sporangial spores present a remarkable 
resemblance to the conids in their form and markings. The zygospores 
have, like the sporangial spores and the conids, an epispore with longi- 
tudinal striation. 
Penicillium cupricum.* — M. J. de Seynes has determined that the 
fungus called by this provisional name is but a form of P. glaucum , the 
ordinary appearance of which it assumes when transferred to a different 
medium. In a 9 • 5 per cent, solution of cupric sulphate the production of 
the pink hypliae is greatly retarded, while that of the conids undergoes 
no diminution. 
Morphology and Biology of Lichens.* — Herr H. Zukal describes in 
great detail the structure of lichens according to the present state of 
our knowledge. Under the general term hypothallus he includes the 
prothallus, the mycelial margin of the thallus, the lichen-mycele, and 
the liypothalline appendicular organs, from all of which a new thallus 
may spring. In contrast to this he bestows the term epitliallus on all 
the modifications of the cortical hyphae at the margin or apex of the 
thallus which serve as a protection for the gonids, or for other secondary 
purposes. In by far the larger number of lichens, the fungus-element 
is an ascomycetous fungus; and neither Ascomycetes nor Ascolichenes 
possess any true sexual organs. The ascus-receptacle is merely a differ- 
entiated portion of the mycele, and may produce conids on its outer 
wall or within it. The algal element of lichens may belong to eight 
different classes : — the Sircsiphoneae, Rivularieae, Scytonemeae, Nosto- 
caceae, Chroococcaceae, Confervaceae, Chroolepidcas, and Palmellaceas. 
The gonids are always motionless, and the author regards their loss 
of reproductive power as an adaptation for the nutrition of the fungus. 
* Ann. R. Bot. Garden Calcutta, vi. (1895) 10 pp. and 2 pis. See Bot. Cen- 
tralbl., Ixvii. (1896) p. 56. 
t Bull. See. Bot. France, xlii. (1895) pp. 451-5, 482-5. Cf. this Journal, 1895, 
p. 556. % SB. K. Akad. Wiss. Wien, civ. (1895) pp. 529-74, 1303-95 (3 pis.). 
