Feb. 17, 1923 
Parasitic Fungi Internal of Seed Corn 
501 
relationship between the two hosts, it seems better to refer our fungus 
tentatively to this form than to create confusion by describing a new 
species. Further studies are in progress to determine the status of our 
fungus. 
Butler and Khan describe the symptoms on half-grown canes as 
follows : 
At this period affected canes lag in growth, and stunted, single stools, or patches of 
varying size, may soon be observed scattered through the fields in which the disease 
is prevalent. From this on until the time of harvest withering of individual canes, 
or even of whole stools occurs. The leaves dry up, as if insufficiently supplied with 
water, followed by the stems which become light and hollow. If the cane be split 
longitudinally when the leaves are just observed to wither, a characteristic discolora¬ 
tion of the pith may be observed. 
With the exception of a slight yellowing discoloration at the germ end, 
no external symptoms on seed corn has so far been observed which assist 
in determining the internal infection by this fungus. Physical characters 
of the cob, except slight discoloration, have given no indications. Shallow 
dents, dull appearance, loose cap of kernels have not been correlated 
with infection. In some instances the pith at the butts of ears is dis¬ 
colored and shredded, but this condition is not more associated with 
infection by this parasite than with that by any of the other species 
studied. The infection so far has been determined only in kernels that 
appear normal. The fungus has been found occasionally associated 
with the typical kernel rot produced by Fusarium moniliforme , but thus 
far we have not found it responsible for any specific symptom of disease 
on kernel. Germination of kernels does not appear to be seriously 
inhibited. On the agar plates the roots are often discolored about the 
seventh day. Inoculations at nodes and internodes in plants at various 
stages of development up to maturity has established the parasitic 
character of this fungus on corn. On the germinator the fungus grows 
out at the cap and develops a very modified white growth of mycelium. 
The mycelium is white and does not spread in growth like the other 
forms. In the limited growth numerous short white filaments are 
observed. These range from an to % inch in height and are coremial- 
like growths (PI. 10, G.). Infection with F. moniliforme may also be 
associated with this fungus in which case the more spreading and effused 
growth overruns and conceals the growth of Cephalosporium sacchari. 
On culture media the growth is flat with little aerial mycelium pro¬ 
duced. In some cultures, upright white coremial strands appear, as 
shown in Plate 10, G. The oppressed growth on the surface of sugar 
media as well as the spores en mass are salmon colored. On starch media 
a slight effused grayish growth is produced. Butler and Khan (8) give 
the following discussion of spores: 
Conidia borne on short, simple or branched, lateral hyphae and also terminally 
on the ultimate branches of the mycelium. They measure 4-12 n (usually 5-8 n) 
by 2-3 /jl when formed, but increase in size prior to germination. Their shape varies 
from shortly oval to ovoid or long elliptical. Occasionally they are curved or with 
one side flattened. Some become septate prior to germination, the septa being 1-3 
in number. 
The conidia as described by these authors are aggregated into globules 
at the tip of conidiophores. They are typical glomerules, but the 
spores are not held together in a slime as is characteristic for the genera 
Hyalopus and Gliobotrys. We find the conidia on the host measure 
