Abstract
As bearing on the subject of the “Cambridge cholera fungus,” it may interest some readers to learn that methylene-blue has long been known as a good stain for fungi. My friend Mr. T. Hick, Botanical Lecturer at Owens College, showed me, some years ago, beautiful preparations of moulds stained with this substance, and I have frequently used it for the same purpose, as also chinoline-blue, known as “blue No. 13” of the aniline dyes. It is impossible to keep an aqueous solution of the latter for any length of time free from fungoid growth, the hyphæ of which, at a certain stage of development, exactly resemble the forms described by Messrs. Roy, Brown, and Sherrington, and my specimens, when grown on a slice of potato, developed into Aspergillus glaucus. Remembering the very varied appearances assumed by the barren hyphæ of fungi, depending on nature of substratum, relative amount of moisture, &c., I believe that morphological agreement of vegetative parts by no means proves specific identity, even when both can be examined in a fresh, state—a great advantage, as the chemical and physical properties of the hyphæ can be compared; but an expression of opinion as to relationship based on the comparison of barren hyphse with drawings is simply valueless, and only proves a very slender acquaintance with the characters of admitted specific value in the determination of fungi. Members of the Chytridiaceæ are common only in books; during years of practical mycological work I have only once met with a species belonging to this group, and this one I could not succeed in staining with either methylene or chinoline-blue, but Bismarck-brown gave good results. I was inclined to attach a certain amount of value to this selective power exercised by fungi in connection with dyes, until I discovered that the hyphge producing the zygospores of Syzygites megalocarpa could not be stained with blue, but readily with methyl-green, while the hyphse of the conidial stage (grown by us from the zygospore) readily absorbed methylene-blue, but had no affinity for green. Interstitial swellings and knob-like outgrowths are not uncommon on mycelium belonging to widely separated groups, especially when the spores are caused to germinate under abnormal conditions, as described in the Journal of Botany for October 1882. The protoplasm frequently becomes concentrated in these portions, which are then cut off from the thread by a septum, and serve as centres for a fresh growth, when placed under favourable conditions. The absence, presence, or relative number of septa vary much in the same plant at various ages and under different conditions of growth.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MASSEE, G. The Cambridge Cholera Fungus. Nature 35, 319 (1887). https://doi.org/10.1038/035319b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/035319b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.