PHYCOMYCETES, filai-mt-se'tez (Neo-Lat. nom. pl., from Gk. winos, phykos, seaweed + paiKns, wykes. fungus). A group of plants which comprises, as the name indicates, those fungi most resembling the algae. (See FuNG1.) The Phyeomyeetes include the black molds (Mueo certain insect parasites Entomophtho rales), the water molds (Saprologniales), and a group of very important plant parasites in cluded in the order Peronosporales. The simplest of the Phycomyeetes are unicellular aquatic forms (Chytridiales) that generally live para sitically in the cells of alum. These representa tives are usually observed in a quiescent condi tion, in the form of thick-walled spores or resting spore-eases, but there are motile periods in the life history when the organisms swim freely in the water. The Entomophthorales are mostly parasitic on insects. preferring the Diptera and Orthoptera, a common representative Empusa) being found on the house fly. Late in the sum mer and in the autumn dead house flies may frequently be observed attached by their pro bosces to window panes, walls, and other sur trees, Nvith n halo of yellotAi It ponder on tin! cla lare around ilk 110/11, der is inade tip spurts that have been thrm% II Id from the
..1.1, of tungal tAltich after tilling tlie body of the in net I1:1\1• gro'tvil through the seg to the e\terion. '1'11e large 1.11111111(n 11)01114 ‘111,1r111.4 ) are frequently (Idled 'flak 111111114 bermes 11f 1.1114 Color of the spore 1.;1 !IPS ( , and to distinguish them from the green :111,1 ?1.11mv 'Hwy n 11. saprophytes, gr..%%ing upon organic matter in damp Id:tees, Mead mold Iliscor) being a familiar emimple.
The vegetative i.ontinn of the molds InY(44111111 eunsi.ts of 41,111iii•11011ti threads (Ityph:c) plainly visible to the (ye, which grow melt the sub Inn :Ohl \dnau poSSibil• nellId it in all directions. The conininitest frucliticatinn is a Idnek svtollett head (sporangium) containing thonsands of spores, 1111d 1,0111e 11l, tile end of an erect branelt (siorangiipltre), The pennio an tiyellihinp• ti harms, mattiv par:l siliv, :Ind contain some fungi responsible for 1411111 serious diseases as the rut !mini° awl the Ily i II il-Ws of grapes. paragraph