.. PRESS MARK Press No. Fk* R.C.P. EDINBURGH LIBRARY Shelf No. J Booh No. .. .. 3. R53905 J 0236 . TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI , Text-Book of Fungi INCLUDING MORPHOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY, CLASSIFICATION, ETC. BY GEORGE MASSEE Principal Assistant ( Cryptogams ) Herbarium Royal Botanic Gardens Kew , AUTHOR OF ‘ A TEXT-BOOK OF PLANT DISEASES’ ‘EUROPEAN FUNGUS-FLORA'’, ‘BRITISH FUNGUS-FLORA,’ ETC., ETC. LONDON: DUCKWORTH AND CO. NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1910 COLL. RE G V .... / TO SIR WILLIAM T. THISELTON-DYER, K.C.M.G., C.I.E., LL.D., SC.D., M.A., F.R.S., EMERITUS DIRECTOR, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KE\V, to whom I am greatly indebted for much kindly encourage- ment in connection with my work, both previous to and during my official tenure at Ivew ; I have great pleasure in dedicating this attempt to introduce to English students those features which collectively constitute the study of Mycology, as understood at the present day. Geo. Massee. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https ://arch i ve . org/detai Is/b21 981486 PREFACE During recent years it may be truly said that our know- ledge of Fungi, from morphological, biological, and physiological standpoints respectively, has increased by leaps and bounds. This extended knowledge is reflected in the improved method of classification adopted at the present time, which, in many instances, is no longer solely based on morphological analogies derived from a cursory examination of mature forms, but on the sequence of development and linking up— in many instances — of the various phases included in the life-cycle of a species. The object of this little book is to serve, in some measure, as an introduction to those comparatively new lines of research, and also to indicate where fuller infor- mation may be obtained. The chapter on ‘Biologic Forms’ was kindly prepared at my request by Mr. E. S. Salmon, F. L.S., our chief exponent of this subject, to whom I take this opportunity of repeating my best thanks. I have no particular axe to grind, and in utilising the information culled from various authors, if I have in any vii viii TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI sense misconstrued their views, I can truly say that it is owing to my inability to grasp the point, and not to wilfulness. Finally, to my colleague, Mr. A. D. Cotton, F.L.S., I beg to tender my thanks for assistance in proof-reading, and for valuable suggestions. GEO. MASSEE. CONTENTS I.—MORPHOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY, BIOLOGY, ETC. PAGES Introduction, 1-15 The Cell, 15-24 Anatomy of Fungi, 25-51 Formation of Spores, 51-65 Sexual Reproduction, 65-98 Asexual Reproduction, 98-108 Liberation of Stores and Conidia, .... 108-114 Dispersion of Spores and Conidia, .... 114-118 Mineral Food of Fungi, 11S-120 Effect of Light and Darkness respectively on the Growth of Fungi, 120-121 Effect of low Temperature on the Germination of Spores, ......... 121-122 Effect of Mechanical Movements on Growth, . 122 Respiration and Transpiration, ..... 123-124 Fixation of Free Nitrogen by Fungi, . 124 Enzymes and Ferments, . .... 124-127 Toxic Effects of Different Substances on Fungi, 127-129 ix 1 TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI PAGES Influence of Food and Environment on the For- mation of Reproductive Organs in Fungi, I2 9 I 33 Parasitism in Fungi, I33-H2 Symbiosis, 142-146 Biologic Forms, . 146-157 Heteroecism in Fungi, 157-16070- Mycoplasm, 160- 161 169- Chemistry of Fungi, 162-164 Colours of Fungi, 165-169 Chemotaxis ( = Chemotropism), 170 Chemauxism, 1 17 = . Becquerel’s Rays ( Radium Rays), 171 Roentgen Rays, 171 Luminosity of Fungi, 172-173 Geographical Distribution of Fungi, 174-176 Ecology of Fungi, ........ 176-179 Parasites on Fungi 179-180 Protection of Fungi against Snails, 180 Fossil Fungi, ......... 181 Personal Views on Phylogeny, ..... 182-195 II. PATHOLOGY Disease caused by Fungi, 195-210 The Spread of Disease by Means of IIybernating Mycelium, 210-218 Legislation, and the Spread of Plant Diseases caused by Fungi, 218-251 CONTENTS xi III.— CLASSIFICATION Primary Groups of Fungi 231-236 Serial Arrangement of the Fungi followed in this Book, 236-238 Fungi, 238 Phycomycetes, ......... 240-261 Hemiascomycetes, . 261-276 Ascomycetes, ......... 276-282 Pyrenomycetes, 282-300 Discomycetes, 300-313 Hemibasidiomycetes, 3L3-342 Basidiomycetes, 342-344 Hymenomycetes, 395-344-374 396- Gasteromycetes, 374-384 Deuteromycetes, 384-386 Sphaeropsidiaceae, 387-395 Melanconiaceae 396 Hyphomycetes, 409 Addenda, 410-414 Index of Figures, . 415-418 General Index, 419-427 ; 1,-ANATOMY, BIOLOGY, Etc. INTRODUCTION The study of Fungi from other than a systematic or morphological standpoint may perhaps, without prejudice to earlier botanists, be said to have been initiated by De Bary, whose brilliant researches, continued by his disciples and others more or less directly under their influence, have gradually raised our knowledge respecting these plants to a level with that relating to most other divisions of the Vegetable Kingdom. Cytology has been prosecuted with marked success such terms as karyokinesis, implying the presence of nuclear spindle, equatorial plate, chromatin grains, etc. ; centrosomes, centrospheres, reduction of chromophores, etc., occur now in every cytological treatise dealing with fungi, whereas a very few years ago, it was only from analogy that such structures could possibly be conceived to exist. The investigations made in this branch of study are as of generalisations yet too limited to admit broad ; never- theless, what has already been done is not without phylogenetic significance. Its influence on our knowledge respecting the sexuality of fungi is most marked, and A 2 TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI appears to furnish incontrovertible evidence in favour of De Bary’s view of the existence of true sexuality in the Ascomycetes, as opposed to the idea on this point enter- tained by Brefeld, who denies sexuality to all groups excepting the Oomycetes and Zygomycetes. On the other hand, speaking broadly, the sexual mode of reproduction is on the wane in the fungi, and instances are not wanting where, even in allied forms, one species may have sexual organs of functional value, whereas in others these organs are sterile, more or less rudimentary, or absent. It is even possible that sexual reproduction may not be constant in the same species. This gradual degeneration of the sexual process, which commences in the Oomycetes, and, so far as we know, has entirely dis- appeared in the Basidiomycetes, is probably due to an adaptation to terrestrial conditions. These altered con- ditions also account for the change from the sporangium containing zoospores in Peronospora, into wind-borne conidia. If we accept as evidence of sexual fertilisation in fungi the fusion of a male and female nucleus derived from more or less specialised cells respectively, to form the first nucleus of a new generation, as is known to occur in the higher plants and in animals, then considerable additions have been made to the number of sexual forms, not only in groups where sexuality was previously ' known, but also in others where its existence was denied, or conclusive evidence was not forthcoming. In the Saprolegnieae, according to De Bary, Ward, and Hartog, fertilisation does not occur, the tube of the antheridium not opening into the oosphere, although it adheres to it. Quite recently, however, Trow has demon- INTRODUCTION 3 strated that in Achlya debaryana fertilisation does occur, and probably also in other allied species. Trow’s discovery, however, does not prove that the con- clusions arrived at by others are incorrect ; as previously stated, in species closely allied, some may still retain a sexual mode of reproduction, others not. In the Ascomycetes Harper has demonstrated the occurrence of a sexual process in Sphaerotheca Castagnei, etc. Pyronejna confine ns , Finally, Blackman has recently announced the discovery of a sexual mode of reproduction in the Uredineae. This consists in the fusion cf two nuclei in certain cells in the Aecidium stage. This, however, does not conform with the .definition of sexual reproduction as stated above, and as it occurs at a definite stage in the individual immediately preceding the formation of spores, it may possibly prove to be homologous with the fusion of nuclei noted by Dangeard in the Ascomycetes and the Basidiomycetes. The last-named author has shown that in the Basidio- mycetes, a fusion of two nuclei takes place in the basidium, which is considered as an oospore. In the Ascomycetes a similar fusion of two nuclei occurs at the base of the young ascus. Both instances are considered by Dangeard as examples of true sexual reproduction, who consequently does not admit Harper’s statement respecting Sphaerotheca. This fusion of nuclei in all cases just precedes the forma- tion of spores. This view is not generally accepted, one reason being that it occurs in certain species where undoubted sexuality, as defined above, exists, as in Sphaerotheca , etc. On the other hand, this fusion of nuclei in the higher groups of fungi appears to fulfil physiologically the functions of true 4 TEXT-BOOK OF FUNGI sexual reproduction, inasmuch as invigoration or rejuvenes- cence is concerned. Before leaving the subject of sexual reproduction, one more important discovery requires notice. In certain fungi both antheridium and oogonium contain numerous nuclei, sometimes one hundred or more each. The male nuclei pass into the oogonium, where the male and female nuclei fuse in pairs, the result being a considerable number of nuclei present in the oospore. Stevens has shown that this occurs in certain species of Cystopus, belonging to the Phycomycetes, and Harper has demonstrated the same in Pyrotietna confluens , belonging to the Ascomycetes. The significance of this discovery is not at present obvious, but the fact that in both groups, and even in species of Cystopus or Albugo as it is termed other , , by American writers, fusion of a single male and female nucleus in the oosphere exists, should at least act as a check on those who are prone to jump to conclusions, and draw up phylogenetic diagrams from a limited amount of evidence.