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With regard to Puccinia acuminata (Fckl) said to grow on Galium saxatile. 

 Prof. Saccardo gives it as a synonym of P. Valantice (Pars.)- I have very 

 critically examined my specimens gathered at the Forest of Dean, Welshpool, 

 and Barmouth, and confess that every example of (?. saxatile seems to correspond 

 with P. Valantioe, not only in the external aspect of the fungus, but also in the 

 spore. The spores of my specimens are without coloured peduncles, and only a 

 few are acuminate. I hoped to have gained assistance from the only plant of 

 G. saxatile of foreign growth. But on looking over it there is not an atom of any 

 fungus on it. Baron Thumen supplied it, and his earlier work never was too 

 accurate. So far, therefore, as my experience goes, our Italian friend is right. I 

 am open, however, to conviction when an opportunity occurs of seeing 

 P. acuminata (Fckl). May the chance be soon. 



Let us now consider the so-called Puccinia difformis (Fckl). Is it a distinct 

 species or is it not ? My own theory is clearly that it is distinct, and not as 

 Prof. Saccardo gives it, namely, a synonym of P. Galiorum. No one looking at 

 P. Galiorum, say on Galium cruciatum, and looking at P. difformis would take 

 them to be the same. The one is a brownish lump of sori. The other is like 

 pitch or tar. On referring to the Handbook, I see the remark made about it, 

 which says it is " Very distinct from either Puccinia Galiorum or P. Valantios, 

 the sori are firm and compact, like little spots of pitch." Exactly so. Let us 

 look now to Mr. Plowright's " British Uredinece and Ustilaginero," a book which 

 is a credit to its author, and especially so because he is a true Woolhopean. At 

 page 144, speaking of the Biologies of P. Galii, which includes Puc. difformis as a 

 synonym, it says " The presence of the mycelium in the stems, especially in 

 G. aparine causes swellings and distortions." Yes indeed they are considerable. 

 If we examine them they are very considerable. They are black, and split up the 

 cuticle into fragments. Unless there be further proof of the identity of 

 P. difformis with P. Galii, such as the positive growth of the latter from the 

 spores of the former, I cannot thmk they are the same plant. Besides, not only 

 is the external aspect of the two so very dissimilar, but the shape of the spores, 

 especially at the summit, is not alike. 1 fancy a little more critical examination 

 of these two species will cause each to liaVe its own name, and therefore that the 

 one is not a synonym of the other. 



