THE MYCETOZOA. 
29 
found, and that abundantly, would be in an old bit of forest, 
with a northerly aspect, where the ancient trees have been 
allowed to lie just as they fell, and where, for many years, they 
have been saturated with moisture, attacked by fungi, and 
partially concealed by the undergrowth. Here these creatures 
revel, and in favourable seasons are to be found in large 
quantities feeding on the decayed wood. Many a quiet hour 
has the writer spent in such haunts observing their habits, and 
with this consciousness, which may be especially commended 
to Selbornians, that although alive there is no pain inflicted in 
obtaining specimens, nor is it likely they will be e.\terminated 
by copious gatherings. Sometimes a species will occupy many 
square inches with its creeping plasmodium resembling a net- 
work of veins, or the perfect fruits may be seen by their 
thousands in certain common species, while at other times only 
a few tiny sporangiae, or a compacted cluster will attest the 
presence of a rarer kind. 
But it may be asked, What are the Mycetozoa ? And this 
question, like many others, is more easily asked than answered. 
Suffice it at present to say that they appear to be connecting 
links between the animal and the vegetable worlds, as they 
exhibit phenomena in their mode of life that are regarded as 
belonging to each of these kingdoms. They have a motile stage 
in which they are true “ creepers,” wandering at their sweet wills 
over dead leaves, or in decaying wood where they seek their 
their food, and eventually becoming sessile, to form their sporngia. 
Although there is no royal road to a true and intimate 
knowledge of these creatures, yet the way has been rendered 
easy by the labours of recent observers. Amongst these, 
honourable mention must be made of the work of Mr. Arthur 
Lister and members of his family, whose investigations have 
added largely to the sum of human knowledge of this subject. 
The Guide already mentioned may be taken as an index of their 
labours. It is descriptive of the expressive specimens and 
beautiful drawings now on view in the public gallery of the 
British Museum, South Kensington. The artistic treatment of 
the subject has been trusted to the skill and knowledge of Miss 
CRIBRARI.A AURANTI.ACA. 
a. Group of sporangia x 2. 
/>. Sporangium after dispersion of 
spores X 20. 
LYCOGALA MIMATU.M. 
a. Three aethalia, nat. size. 
d. Capillitium x 150. 
c. Spore X 600 
