USTILAGO. 183 



B. ttienispermi. Farlow. Trelease. 



On leaves of the yellow Parilla ; the only species, and that is 

 often overlooked. 



Gknus III. TII,I,ETIA, Foetid Smut. 

 Spores enclosed in the deformed tissue of the host. 



T. foetens. B. and C. 



This is the old Ustilago foetens on our wheat heads. It is 

 easily identified by the pulverulent condition of the head of 

 wheat and the garlic-like odor. 



Genus IV. USTII^AGO. 



Spores smooth, verruculose, or muricate, maturing simul- 

 taneously. 



U. Maydis. Corda. Indian Corn Smut. 



Every farmer or schoolboy knows too well what the corn 

 smut is without a full microscopical description being giving of 

 it. It would nevertheless be to their interest to study the life 

 history, biological characters, the favorable or unfavorable 

 circumstances for its development or its destruction, for there 

 is no greater pest to the corn than this fungus. It not only 

 deteriorates the corn plant, destroying many bushels of the 

 seeds, but also poisons the leaves and stalks for fodder, turning 

 the sweet corn fodder into a bitter and disgusting feed. It is 

 supposed to have a very deleterious effect upon pregnant cows, 

 causing the premature dropping of the calf. An extract is 

 used in medicine for hemorrhages, and in obstetrics in place of 

 ergot of rye. 



