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Both the brown and white cells burst, and throw out threads of mycelium. 
Further observations can alone show whether this mycelium, under certain con- 
ditions, may now be capable of existing on diverse hosts as mycelium only, and so 
put on the characters of Rhizoctonia. 
The effused or obliterated sori, or spore blisters, point rather to the genus 
Thecaphora than Urocystis, but I consider the salient characters belong to the 
latter genus, and make it the proper one for the reception of the fungus under 
consideration. Dr. Wittmack, Dr. Magnus, and Dr. Brefeld, of Berlin, have 
examined my preparations, and they consider the compound spores to belong to 
Urocystis. As to the peculiar habit and obliteration of the sori, Dr. Brefeld says 
he has seen Urocystis growing on very different materials, even upon bread. Dr. 
Brefeld considers Urocystis to be a Sclerotium, or a compact spawn or mycelium 
in a state of rest, but this is not my view. 
Whilst describing this curious fungus it may be well to pass briefly in 
review its immediate allies as found in this country, with illustrations taken direct 
from Nature. This will at once show the strong family likeness between the new 
U. Gladioli and its neighbours. I may say at this point that Urocystis is some- 
times described under Polycystis. 
The first is Thecaphora‘hyalina, Fing. (c, D., Plate II.). This species, the 
only one of its genus, is closely allied in habit with Urocystis Gladioli, for it is 
without sori; the compound spores are, however, in one series—not two, brown 
and large, and transparent and small, asin Urocystis. The habit of this Theca- 
phora is most peculiar, for the fungus grows inside the seeds and seed-capsules of 
Convolvulus. There is no external evidence on the seed-capsules of the presence 
of the fungus within. 
Urocystis viol (£, Plate II.) is a common plague of Violets, it causes large 
gouty swellings upon the petioles and leaves, and otherwise deforms the entire 
plant. At length the swellings burst, and discharge the innumerable spores. 
Urocystis Colchici, Tul. (F, G, Plate II.), a similar plague with the last. It 
grows upon Colchicum, but is less apparent in its effects. 
Urocystis occulta, Preuss (H, Plate II.), a pest found on Rye and various 
Sedges. 
Urocystis pompholygodes, Schlecht. (J, Plate II.)—a disease of the Ranun- 
culacee ; like U. Viole it causes great distortion of the host plant, and makes 
large gouty swellings, which at length burst and discharge an immense number of 
spores, 
Most growers of Gladioli will probably be dissatisfied with this paper and 
its hard names, but it must be remembered that it is an attempt at a diagnosis of 
the Gladiolus disease, and treats only of the characteristic and distinguishing 
symptoms ; for, till a disease is understood, a remedy is always out of the question, 
Cure is probably quite within reach ; but the discussion of this subject must 
be reserved for another time.— Worthington G. Smith. 
