Some Observations on the Germination of the Spores of Some Species of Mycetozoa

Summary

1.	Spores of several species of Mycetozoa including Reticularia Lycoperdon, Fuligo spetica, Stemonitis splendens var. flaccida, Lycogola epidendriim and Trichia varia, have been successfully germinated in artificial solutions.
2.	The rate of germination varied in the different species; Reticularia Lycoperdon taking about an hour, Trichia varia about five days.
3.	Tables are given showing the proportion of germination and the time taken, in respect to a number of organic substances. The effect of light, darkness and combined darkness and heat was tried. The results differ in the various species and no general conclusions could be arrived at.
4.	Evidence is brought forward to show that the length of time taken by the spores of a species collected from different localities to germinate does not differ appreciably, no more than do the spores of the same mass of sporangia when grown at different times under the same conditions. It has been found that the spores of Reticularia Lycoperdon do not loose their vitality in five years, though after seven years germination is uncertain. The same vitality is not shown by other species, Trichia varia losing its power of germination in about a year.

Our thanks are due to Professor R. R. Gates for reading through the proofs and for helpful criticisms during the work.