III.—The Life-history and Cytology of Didymium nigripes Fr.

Abstract

Since 1860, in which year De Bary published his great work Die Mycetozoen, the investigation of the life-history of members of the Mycetozoa has aroused a considerable amount of interest, and a great deal of important research has been carried out in this connection. The group of organisms is particularly interesting, because it lies on the borderline between plant and animal kingdoms, and it is very possible that a detailed investigation of several species of the Mycetozoa might be of considerable assistance in elucidating certain obscure points in the life-histories of higher members of both the great natural groups. The term “Mycetozoa,” which we owe to De Bary, will be used throughout in preference to the older term “Myxogastres” invented by Fries (32, p. 2), and that of “Myxomycetes” first employed by Link (32, p. 2). “Mycetozoon,” or “fungus-like animal,” is a very appropriate description of a member of the group, since during part of its life-history it exhibits distinctly animal-like characters, and the individuals move rapidly by means of flagella, whilst later, during the development of the sporangium, a plant-like form is assumed. The combination of plant and animal characters has given rise to much discussion as to the position of the Mycetozoa in plant or animal kingdom, and the group has been claimed by both zoologists and botanists.