GROUP III. BASIDIO-URBDINB^. 



The old name Coniomycetes of Fries denotes more fully the 

 nature of this group than the one in use at the present time. 

 Coniomycetes means dust fungi, for the species are distin- 

 guished for the vast predominance of dust-like spores. They 

 are divided into two series : those growing on dead or dying 

 plants (saprophytic), and those growing on living plants 

 (parasitic). The species of former series are no doubt dual- 

 isms of higher fungi ; the structure of the greater part of them 

 is very similar. All are interesting in so far as dualism is 

 concerned, and the beautiful varieties and fascinating forms of 

 the spores, by which they are determined, is interesting. 

 There is nothing more true in the old adage, " The tree is 

 known by its fruit," than in this group, for it is impossible to 

 get any characters from the vegetative organs, which are 

 nothing but small spots on old logs, dead leaves, etc. 



There are three natural orders included under this series of 

 the Uredines or Coniomycetes : 



Sphceronemei. — Perithecium distinct, free. 

 Melanconiei. — Perithecium wanting. 

 ToRLUivACEi. — Spores tomiparous. 



The number of complete and autonomous species are very 

 few, if any. For the descriptive literature in conjunction with 

 the Pyrenomycetes, I would refer you to Ellis's great work on 

 this subject. 



Series II. Parasitic Uredines, 



The species of this series only grow on living plants ; the 

 mycelium threads are imbedded in the tissues of the host-plant. 



The Germans call this series Hypodermei on account of their 



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