380 ON THE STUDY OF MICRO-FUNGI. 



teleutospores (Puccinia) are formed on the same grass. The sori 

 of the teleutospores are very small, and are scattered about in 

 abundance like minute black specks upon the grass. The spores 

 are brown, smooth, and somewhat variable in form. The constric- 

 tion between the two compartments is generally very slight, and 

 the measurements are 40 — 50x18 — 25 micro-m.m. When the 

 teleutospores are fully developed in the month of July or August, 

 no further change takes place, and they remain inactive throughout 

 the winter. The grass which bears them withers and falls to the 

 ground, but when the Herb Paris is again springing up the spores 

 are ready to germinate and produce the mycelium of the secidio- 

 spores in the way we have already described. 



We have thus completed the cycle of the life-history of Puc- 

 cinia Paridis, having traced it from the teleutospores on Phalaris 

 arundinacea to the secidiospores on Paris quadrijolia^ and then 

 back again from the latter plant to the former one, and so proved 

 the parasite to be heteroecious. 



When we bear in mind the facts which have here been referred 

 to, the lowly and insignificant fungi will gain a fresh attraction for 

 us, and will become invested with a halo of interest which at our 

 first acquaintance with them we scarcely thought it possible that 

 they could possess. Indeed, it appears to us that because we 

 obtain a treat where we least expected it, that we are therefore the 

 more pleased when it is suddenly presented to us. 



What has just been described regarding Puccinia lapsa7icB and 

 Puccinia Paradis no doubt applies in a general way to the develop- 

 ment of many other species ; but there are, of course, a great 

 number, to which we have not referred here, which have life- 

 histories much different from those just given. (Dr. Plowright's 

 work on The British Uredinece a?id UrtilaginecE will be found a 

 most useful and deeply interesting book in giving further informa- 

 tion on the subject.) Neither have we made any reference to 

 those species which attack the corn, the potato plants, and many 

 other of the fruits of the earth which are so valuable to man, and 

 in the study of which there is more than a mere passing interest. 

 But perhaps we have said sufficient to show that these micro-fungi 

 are highly deserving of our careful and particular attention. 



