136 



GEEMINATION OF THE SPORES OF HEMILEIA 

 VASTABRIX. 



The germination of this curious fungus has not as yet been 

 observed in Europe ; but Dr. G. H. K. Thwaites, of Ceylon, has 

 given the results of his experiments on germination. He says 

 that it is not difficult to induce germination. Mature spores 

 removed from a diseased leaf, and laid upon charcoal, kept con- 

 stantly moist, commence to germinate in a few days. This process 

 consists in the spore becoming somewhat enlarged, and its contents 

 converted into one or more globose translucent masses. From 

 each of these afilament is developed, which grows very rapidly, and 

 becomes more or less branched. At the termination of some of 

 these branches secondary spores are produced in the form of 

 radiating necklace-shaped strings of little spherical bodies of 

 uniform size, and this form closely resembles the fructification of 

 an Aspergillus. Another observer in Ceylon (Mr. Abbay) has 

 seen another form of secondary spores arranged in simple rows of 

 spherical bodies — a good deal larger than those radiately arranged, 

 but still exceedingly minute. These inconceivably numerous 

 secondary spores may be easily transported by the slightest breath 

 of air from place to place, and from plantation to plantation. 

 Messrs. Berkeley and Broome have intimated that this fungus 

 seems to hold an intermediate place between Uredines and Moiilds. 

 The germination, as well as structure of the species, is thus seen to 

 be very unique and interesting. 



BOTANICAL YEARBOOK. 



Tlie issue of the commencement of the '* Botanischer Jahres- 

 bericht " for its second year, offers an opportunity for calling 

 attention to a work which combines an immense amount of labour 

 in a most useful form for all botanists, but it is the Cryptogamical 

 portion which it is our desire more especially to commend to the 

 attention of our readers. The second volume before us is for the 

 year 1874, containing the Botanical Literature for that year, 

 arranged under different heads, each under the special direction of 

 an expert. The first section, Alga?, consists of forty-one large octavo 

 pages, containing an enumeration of works, papers, communications, 

 and the names of species published during the year. The second 

 section is devoted to Lichens, and consists of 143 pages, grouped 

 under Literature, Systematic Lichenology, Lichenograj^hy grouped 

 under countries. Morphology, and New Genera and Species. In 

 fact a much more extended and complete subgrouping is adopted 

 under these heads than we have space to enumerate. The third 

 section is occupied with Fungi, extending to about 170 pages, 

 with a similar sub-classification to that adopted with the Lichens, 



