F. Cavers. 
V. —The Proteomyxa. 
168 
Zopf (1885 a) divided the Mycetozoa, regarded in a wide sense, 
into two main groups—the Monadineae (mostly aquatic, often 
parasitic, usually producing zoocysts, i.e., cysts whose contents were 
set free as flagellate or amoeboid spores, plasmodium formation 
absent or slight) and Eumycetozoa (aerial, never parasitic, without 
zoocysts, plasmodium formation invariable and usually striking. He 
divided the Monadineae into two series—Zoosporeae (zoocysts 
producing flagellulae, i.e., flagellate spores) and Azoosporeae (zoocyst 
producing amoebulae, i.e., amoeboid spores). The name Proteomyxa 
was proposed simultaneously by Lankester (1885) for a group which 
practically coincides with Zopf’s Monadineae. As defined by 
Lankester, the Proteomyxa include those forms of the Sarcodina 
division of Protozoa in which the pseudopodia are usually granular, 
fine, flexible, and not freely branched; in which reproduction may 
take place by simple fission but more usually by multiple fission in a 
brood-cyst; in which plasmodium formation occasionally occurs but 
never leads to the production of a massive fructification ; and in which 
encystment (or at any rate a resting stage at maturity) is a charac¬ 
teristic feature. Zopf, Lankester, and the majority of zoological 
writers include in the group, now generally known by the latter’s 
name Proteomyxa, the parasitic forms which are now placed in the 
Plasmodiophoraceae (Phytomyxinese) division of Mycetozoa. The 
group has undergone vicissitudes in successive schemes of classifi¬ 
cation of the Protozoa, but there seems to be general agreement 
among zoologists that it is a highly artificial one, though convenient 
as a “ lumber-room ” for a number of forms which are difficult to 
place in any of the other groups of Protozoa without enlarging 
and rendering vague the definitions hitherto applied to these groups. 
(To be continued). 
ERRATA. 
THE AUSTRALIAN MEETING OP THE BRITISH 
ASSOCIATION. 
1. The Botanical Excursions. 
By E. R. Saunders. 
Vol. XIV, Nos. 2 and 3. 
p. 53, line 26, for Mr. E. C. Andrews read Mr. C. Andrews, 
p. 54, line 25, omit quercifolia after the name Thomasia. 
