28 BERBERIDE^ 



recent investigation has proved beyond all doubt, not only that they are 

 mere stages in the development of one species, but that the rust formerly 

 known as a distinct species under the name of Uredo is an intermediate 

 condition between yEcidium and Puccinia. It is true that the Barberry-bush 

 is not to blame for the injury caused to the corn crop, but the farmers were 

 warranted in their antipathy to it, seeing that it becomes the necessary, 

 though involuntary, nurse of the farmer's enemy, ^cidium appears in spring 

 upon Barberry leaves, and produces its spores (cecidiospores), which will only 

 germinate on the leaves and stems of grasses, which, of course, include wheat, 

 barley, etc. Here, after causing havoc among the tissues, they break out 

 upon the surface and produce tiredospores, which are capable of germinating 

 on grasses again and producing fresh Uredo crops. Later they produce teleuto- 

 spores (Puccinia), in which condition the plant rests for the winter, but in the 

 spring the Puccinia gives rise to other spores, which will only germinate on 

 the Barberry, producing ^'Ecidium again. — E. S.] That the Barberry is not 

 necessarily injurious to the wheat-field is proved by a communication sent by 

 the well-known botanist, Mr. Charles Babington, to the Blagazine of Natural 

 History. This gentleman says, "As illustrative of the inaccuracy of this idea, 

 a friend of mine residing at Bath mentioned to me, that during the last 

 autumn, when walking round some corn-lands h... mg to one of his relatives, 

 who lives in Wiltshire, his attention was particularh called to the very heavy 

 crop in one of the fields, in the hedge adjoining A.hich he at the same time 

 observed Birheris vulgaris in plenty. His relative was fully impressed with 

 the idea of the destructiveness of Berberis, and not being a botanist, did not 

 know that it grew there. I may add that the "w heat from that field, on being 

 thrashed, completely aiiswered the expectations raised by its fine appearance." 

 Our common Barberry is wild in most European countries. Mr. Lyell, 

 in his " Visit to the United States," remarks of this plant on the banks of the 

 Piscataqua : " The Barberry, also, though not indigenous, is very abundant 

 and ornamental in the woods here. It has overrun, in modern times, the 

 shores of New England, and made its way many miles inland, to the great 

 annoyance of the agriculturists. Some naturalists wonder how it can spread 

 so fast, as the American birds, like the European ones, refuse to feed on its 

 rich berries ; but if it be true that cattle, sheep, and goats occasionally browse 

 upon this shrub, there is no mystery as to the mode of its migration." Sheep 

 are said to be very fond of it in this country. 



2. Barrenwort {EpimSdium). 

 Alpine Barrenwort {Epimedium alpinum). — Root-leaves none ; stem-leaf 

 twice ternate ; leaflets heart-shaped, serrated, and hairy beneath ; nectary 

 yellowish, resembling an inflated membrane. Plant perennial. This elegant 

 little Alpine plant is by no means frequent, and it is certainly not truly 

 indigenous, though it grows in some mountainous woods in Scotland and 

 the north of England. Each stem bears a single delicate leaf ; and in May 

 its panicle of flowers is of a dull purple colour. Sir W. J. Hooker and 

 Dr. Arnott mention, that when seen under a microscope, the anthers of 

 this plant exhibit a singular structure, being formed of two valves, which on 

 opening spring upwards, and svxfter the pollen to escape. The French term this 



