84 The Scottish Naturalist. 



of a distinct genera or even of distinct families, are only different- 

 stages in the development of other so-called species ; and there is 

 good reason to hope that our knowledge of them is in a fair way 

 of being cleared of much that is only an obstacle, though perhaps 

 unavoidable when introduced. 



In such a group as the Uredines the most natural classification 

 is a most difficult problem to solve, and it carries with it the 

 further difficulty that, owing to the various forms of spores having 

 received names as distinct species, almost all the fungi have 

 several names from this source, over and above the natural source 

 of such names from error or ignorance on the part of later writers 

 as to the species described by their predecessors. It becomes 

 therefore a point of great consequence in the nomenclature to 

 ascertain fully, and on sufficient grounds, what ought to be 

 regarded as the perfect stage of each fungus ; as the name given to 

 it in that condition ought to be retained as the future name, the 

 others being dropped as synonyms of that name. 



Unfortunately, the most trustworthy character derived from the 

 modes of reproduction — viz., the sexual reproduction — is unknown 

 to us yet in the group ; hence it is an open question which stage 

 shall be held for the purposes of systematic botany to be the more 

 perfect. There is a pretty general tendency to decide in favour of 

 the form producing the teleuto-spores, hence that is made the 

 basis of the classifications generally that recognise Hetercecism. 

 However, there is something to be said in favour of the belief that 

 the sexual individuals in the cycle may be those producing aecidia 

 and spermogonia, and that these consequently form the more 

 perfect condition, and that therefore the nomenclature should be 

 taken from them. 



Be that as it may, it cannot be without value to compare our 

 own lists with Winter's classifications ; and with this object the 

 following list has been drawn up. In it the names and arrange- 

 ment employed in his work have been adhered to in each genus. 

 After each species, in brackets, follow the number and the name 

 by which the same species is distinguished in the Mycologia Scotica, 

 or in the supplementary lists that have appeared in this magazine. 

 Where several numbers and names follow one of Winter's they are 

 all referred by him to one species, either as varieties, or as being 

 only forms in the development of the same fungus. In some cases 

 it will be observed that only one stage in the alleged cycle has yet 

 been found in Scotland. A few species are included also that 

 have been detected with us since the last supplementary list was 

 published. A careful comparison of the results tabulated in this 

 way cannot but prove instructive, for whether the classification at 

 present favoured on the Continent may prove in its main features 

 to be correct, or may itself be superseded, we may profit by the 

 questions suggested for and against the beliefs on which it rests. 

 That these questions are of much interest must be self-evident to 

 us all. (To be continued.) 



