Nuclear Phenomena in the Smuts. 
479 
nucleole, chromatin, and membrane are perfectly distinct in 
practically all cases. The main difference between my observa¬ 
tions and Dangeard’s lies in his failure to observe in all cases 
a chromatin net between the nucleole and membrane. The 
point is of importance since it has been and still is in some 
quarters 1 the tendency to either deny the existence of nuclei 
in the fungi or ascribe to them a structure simpler than that 
of the nuclei of the higher plants and animals. These nuclei 
of the smuts on the contrary show the same essential differ¬ 
entiations in structure which are found throughout the higher 
plants. The simplicity of form and life history of these plants 
is in no degree paralleled by a corresponding condition in 
their visible protoplasmic structure. 
For the study of the germinating spores and conidia cultures 
were made in beerwort on the slide or in watch crystals. For 
fixing and staining the following method was worked out by Mr. 
D. G-. Fairchild and myself and has proved applicable and ad¬ 
vantageous for the preparation of a variety of one-celled or few- 
eelled organisms which can be had in great abundance. The 
spores are sown in the beerwort in sufficient abundance so as to 
form a thick precipitate on the cover glass when conidia are 
formed. If the later stages of conidial budding and fusion are 
desired it is necessary to sow relatively few spores, since they 
multiply with great rapidity. If the germination stages of the 
spores themselves are desired a sufficient number of spores 
should be sown to render the drop turbid at ouce, since in this 
case there will be no increase in numbers. When the culture 
has reached the desired age or stage in development, a drop 
turbid with spores or conidia is drawn up into a fine capillary 
tube and is then blown gently out into a larger drop of the fix¬ 
ing solution on a fresh slide. 
The fixing solution is in this fashion considerably diluted, 
but owing to the extreme delicacy of the promycelia and conidia 
they require only very dilute fixing solutions. In case of more 
resistant bodies the solution would have to be made proportion¬ 
ately stronger to allow of dilution in the manner indicated. The 
1 Holtermann, Mykologisehe Untersuchungen aus den Tropen . 
(Berlin, 1897.) 
