A Monograph of the Myxogastres

Abstract

THIS work is much in advance of any book in the English language treating of the perplexing group of organisms that forms its subject. The author has been in peculiarly favourable circumstances for the preparation of such a monograph, having enjoyed full access to “the splendid collection of Myxogastres in the Royal Herbarium, Kew, rich in types, and with numerous annotations by Rostafinski,” as well as had “the loan or gift of valuable, and in some instances unique, specimens” from other workers in the same field in different countries. He has fully acquainted himself with the literature of the subject, and has made many personal observations on the structure, and, in some cases, on the life-history, of various types. He is thus able to bring to bear on the discussion of the problems that claim consideration a wide and varied knowledge; with the result that the book is indispensable to every student of the Myxogastres. The introductory portion will be found worth perusal by others besides specialists, as it discusses the arguments for and against the vegetable nature of the group. While accepting the view that the origin of the Myxogastres is to be found among the Flagellatæ, he comes to the conclusion that the sum of the characters presented by them in the reproductive phase manifests a tendency “in the direction of the vegetable kingdom, and more especially in the direction of the Fungi.” But he is unable to establish strict homologies with the latter; since the Myxogastres are “a terminal group, and permit no comparisons with higher forms of the same type.” In the discussion of this vexed question, Mr. Massee shows none of the virulence to which it has given rise in former times; and he endeavours to do justice in his statement to the views of De Bary, and of other supporters of the view that the organisms in question should be regarded as animals. After all, to an evolutionist at least, the distinction would appear more of verbal than of real importance.

A Monograph of the Myxogastres.

By George Massee. (London: Methuen and Co., 1892.)