356 J. G. WALLER ON PARASITIC VEGETABLE ORGANISMS. 



Society in 1876, and published in their Proceedings, discusses very 

 fully the questions of parasitic thallophytes in living corals. Some 

 of the forms, engraved in illustration, have an unquestionable affinity 

 to that which I have described in PI. XIV., Figs. 5, 6, 8, 9 ; and he 

 comes to the following conclusion: — That these parasites u belong to 

 a group whose life-cycle is complicated by marine and sub-ajrial 

 conditions, and infers that Achlya, Saprolegnia, Botrytis, Pereno- 

 spora, Empusina, and possibly Bryopsis, are so many names of the 

 same organisms under different conditions." As far as I have been 

 able to study the class, from general appearances and details, there 

 seems to me good ground for this surmise. Certainly many of 

 the forms in the fructification of Perenospora infestans, which 

 affects the potato, are in striking analogy.* But, indeed, in the 

 development of some of the Agarics, as far as outward form is con- 

 cerned, you may get some illustration. Passing away from what 

 are recognised as Fungi to the Alga?, and we can also find 

 analogies. Vaucheria has been alluded to by some in illustration, 

 and not without reason. Odonthalia shows in its fructification 

 forms remarkably similar to those in PI. XIII., Figs. 12, 13, 

 and globular receptacles are common enough. Yet I think, when 

 all things are taken into account, the weight of evidence arising 

 from general character, will surely place these remarkable plants 

 amongst the Fungi. I must conclude by stating that the subject 

 is by no means exhausted, and this may prove, perhaps, only a 

 beginning towards a better understanding of the life history. 



Since writing the above, my attention has been drawn by our 

 President to the Fungus foot of India, of which an account is 

 given in the " Transactions of the Linnaaan Society," with illustra- 

 tions. The subject is also taken up by the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, 

 in Vol. II. of the " Intellectual Observer," wherein the plates are 

 copied, the drawings having originally been made by H. J. Carter, 

 F.R.S. The character of the Fungus, as given in one illustra- 

 tion copied at p. 256 of the latter work, has several analogies with 

 what I have given at PI. XV., Figs. 3, 4, and which I place with 

 the Saprolegnieaa. There are also at p. 253 in same work some 

 figures which illustrate the object PI. XV., Fig. 5. 



* See Art. on Potato Fungus by Worthington G. Smith, " Monthly 

 Microscopical Journal," Sept. 1, 1876. 



