566 



THE GARDENER. 



[Dec. 



A DISEASE OF THE GOOSEBERRY 



WITH THE now to get rid of it, etc. 



Fig. 27. 



iEcidium cancel]atum. — a, a berry upon which it is seen growing in its natural size; b, 

 leaf cut showing the part where the peridia are magnified; c, a full-sized leaf affected as the 

 berry, appearing lilie a drop of red paint at a distance. 



-(.EciDiUM (Persooii), a genus of plants belonging to the natural family of 

 Fungi, or the Mushroom tribe, and to the class Cryptogamia of Linnfeup. 

 This Fungus consists of small membranous sacs or protuberances, which are 

 found parasitic on the leaves, bark, fruit, &c. of several plants ; such as the Fir, 

 Violet, Barberry, Hawthorn, Primrose, Nettle, &c. The membrane forming 

 the sac has received the name of peridium. It pierces the bark or epidermis of 

 the leaves, and encloses very minute dust-like seeds or sporules, which are 

 ultimately discharged by an opening in its side or summit. In consequence of 

 the seeds being contained in a membrane, the genus has been referred to a 

 division of fungi which has been denominated Angiocarpi. There are upwards 

 of thirty known species of the genus, and they receive their names from the 

 plants on which they are found. Link has divided this genus into three 

 sub-genera, the ^cidium properly so called, the Raestelia, and Peridernium. 

 The JE. cancellatum here represented belongs to the second of those divi- 

 sions. It is often found on the leaves of Pear-trees. To the third division 



