The Swarm-Cells of Myxomycetes

Germination of spores of a species of myxomycete was first reported by deBary (1) in 1854. He observed that the spores of Hemitrichia Vesparium 1 produced a flagellated swarm-cell rather than the hyphal tube characteristic of the higher fungi, with which the Myxomycetes were then classified. Subsequently deBary (3, 4) attempted to germinate spores of a number of species, meeting with varying success. He obtained no germination of spores of the Cribrarias and the Tubiferas. Since deBary's first report, many students of the Myxomycetes have attempted to germinate a large number of forms and have invariably met with the same inconsistencies which deBary found. Durand (13) attempted to germinate several species, succeeding only with Enteridium Rozeanum. McClatchie (43), reading of Durand's low results, replied with a statement that he and his students never failed to obtain good germination with spores of Reticularia Lycoperdon whether the collections were fresh or a year old. He germinated five other species with varying results, but always obtained swarm-cells within three hours except in Hemitrichia Vesparium, which produced only myxamoebae. Lister (40) found that repeated drying and rewetting of cultures facilitated the germination of a species of Badhamia. Jahn (29) used this method to obtain germination of Stemonitis axifera after previous culturing had failed, and later (30) used it to obtain germination-in very low numbers, to be sure-of Tubifera ferruginosa and Lindbladia effusa. Both of these belong to families with which deBary had had no success. All reports since Jahn's confirm deBary's experience with these two species. F. A. Gilbert (21) made a comparative study of spore germination by families.