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An isolate of the purple-brown spored agaric Psilocybe merdaria (Fr.) Ricken, which had been collected on Mull, Scotland, was found to be unstable in its morphological characters when in pure culture. Apart from normal fruit-bodies a series of forms developed, ranging from laterally stipitate to gasteromycetoid ones. The morphological characters of the two extreme forms, before and after several subcultures were made, are described. How these abnormal fruit-bodies might amplify past and present theories on the origin of the Gasteromycetes is considered. The shape of the basidium in this one isolate was also found to be plastic and several deviations from the typical basidium are described. It is suggested that the origin of at least some types of pleurocystidia should be sought in modifications of the basidium. The use of the basidium as a major character in the classification of the Basidiomycetes is not discredited, but a closer relationship than previously expressed between the different groups of the higher fungi is argued. It is suggested that useful information might be obtained from the further study of teratological forms similar to those of P. merdaria whenever they are found in other higher fungi. In the field aberrant forms are not as rare as might be at first supposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between relative humidity and transpiration was studied in the basidiocarps of Coprinus, Amanita, Agaricus, Tricholoma, Collybia and Polyporus. Transpiration decreases with an increase in the humidity and there is virtually no transpiration in nearly saturated air. To determine the relationship between uptake and transpiration, stipes were immersed in solutions of various osmotically active substances and inhibitors. Results showed that uptake has no influence on the transpiration. Additional data suggested that uptake in a detached basidiocarp proceeds as long as the fruit body is young and healthy. Studies with fluorescein dye and mannitol showed that most transpiration occurs at the surface and edges of the hymenium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations concerning sterols were made in one of strain each of nine species of bacteria and one representative of the basidiomycetes through adsorption chromatography, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry as well as ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy. Three strains contained sterols in quantities ranging from 0.0004 to 0.01 of the dry weight. In Azotobacter chroococcum six sterols were demonstrated. In six strains sterols were not detectable. The limit of detectability at present is at 0.0001% sterol related to 100 g dry cells. From the extract of Aerobacter cloacae, which contained no sterol, a C16-hydroxy-ketone was isolated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on several species of Clavariaceae from Argentina. Clavaria minima; Clavaria vermicularis; Clavicorona turgida; Clavulinopsis corniculata.