Stagonospora Cassavae n. spec. 
227 
Stagonospora is, and, also, for a higher mould the number of 
the globules is apparently too great. 
Afterwards, as I had absolutely no succes in identify the globules 
as pabulum or reserve material I regarded tliem as nuclei: but this point 
of view also did not satisfy tome, these nuclei-formings belonging to a 
very diverging type. 
To my great surprise I discovered for the first time in an agar- 
culture with an extract of Cassava wood that the round bodies were 
germinate! yes indeed, that this germination had even already occurred 
in the mother mycelium threads just as we may meet with among some 
of the lower Phycomycetes\ see figure 1 b. Figure 2 gives an enlarge- 
ment of some of these round bodies. The mycelium threads are very 
thin, the round bodies very small, a 
drawback in so far as concerns a 
closer carrying out of detail for which 
we have to thank the bad condition 
of the optical instruments and acces- 
sory appliances at the laboratory of 
the Selection Garden. Figure 3 
gives arepresentation of the germination 
of one of the round bodies signified. 
The round 
bodies in the 
mycelium thus 
appear on a 
closer investi- 
gation to be 
spores: endo- 
spores. Fig. 2. Endospores of 
The germi- Stagonospora Cassavae. 
nation of these x 10000. Fig.3. Germinating endospores. xlO 000. 
appears indeed 
only to catch on under very definite circumstances. In the very large number 
of pure cultures of this mould which I have had under my Observation I liave in 
only tliree cases perceived an abundant germination. Wliat the conditions 
for germination are, I do not know; through an over pressure of work I 
have not been able to go farther into this enquiry Up to now I have 
considered this phenomenon so, that I have worked with different lines, 
with a greater number of varieties, of which only a single one pos- 
sessed the fertilization of its spores to a marked degree, at 
least under the conditions in which I worked. In the course of my 
researches the fertilization of these peculiar spores has been a comparatively 
very rare occurence. 
I repeat, no one would consider a priori those round bodies in 
my Stagonospora Cassavae as being spores. It is very well possible 
that tliey are degenerations of spores belonging to a former, ,,lowei 
genetic position of the mould. Then, the proposed degenerated caiactei 
of the spores would explain why they cannot germinate; yet, among the 
greater number of varieties, there is one, in which the force of geimi- 
nate is saved, is remained: but that it is a pure, great accident 
