24 



and the other part upon one of our woodlaurl grasses. The sorrel also 

 bears an (Ecidium, the ieleuf.ospores of which are fomied upon a grass. 



The rarest find of tlio year belongs to this division, viz : (Ecidium 

 Oixhidcarum. Tliis is a very rare fungus, and I have only seen two 

 specimens, one gathered by my youngest boy while it was yet 

 immature, the other found by my eldest boy some few weeks afterwards, 

 the specimen beiug in prime condition. This specimen was figured in 

 the September jS^umber of "Life Lore" for last year,* but described 

 as being found upon orchis latifolia, whereas it was upon orchis 

 maetilata. I may say, that, together with my children, we examined 

 nearly 3,000 orchid plants last year, and only found the two specimens 

 mentioned. 



A division of the Uridineoi having only iwedospores and teleutospores, 

 is represented by specimens found upon the wild plum, (prunus spinosa,) 

 water persicaria, and lychnis diurna. The division having spermogones, 

 uredospores, and telentospores, is represented by specimens on the field 

 thistle, carline thistle, and knapweed. 



Another division bearing but teleutospores, and which do not 

 germinate until after a definite period has elapsed, is represented by 

 several species, the most interesting to me being that on the golden rocl, 

 not only on account of its rai'ity, but because it was the first plant upon 

 which, some seven or eight years ago, I discovered teleutospores. 



Puccinia smyrnii is a fungus belonging to a division of the Uridinece, 

 having oecidiospores, spermogones, and teleutospores, and occasionally, 

 here and there, a few uredospores. This fungus is one which I have 

 specially studied for several years, the last 18 months having specimens 

 almost under daily observation. It is certainly one of the hardiest of 

 leaf fungi, for on the youug shoots that begin to peep above ground 

 during the last few days in September last, this fungus appeared in its 

 cecidium form, and from then right on to the present time, through frost 

 and snow, this cecidium might be found. The telcutospore form, until 

 last year, occurred but sparingly. Several years I did not succeed in 

 finding a single specimen, although no doubt they were there, but during 

 the months of June and July last, it was scarcely possible to find a leaf 

 without teleutospores. This will account for the abundance of 

 cecidiospores this winter ; for the numerous teleutospores upon the ground 

 and amongst the decaying vegetation, are conveyed to the young leaves 

 by the wind and rain ; there they soon germinate and enter the leaf, either 

 through a stomata, between the cell-walls, or even pierce the cell-wall 

 itself. 



At the end of February this year, vast quantities of teleutospores had 

 developed upon plants already bearing cecidiospores and spermogones, 

 and are still in the same condition. It is very interesting to witness the 

 insertion of the germ-thread or mycelium sent out from the telcutospore 



* By the kind consideration of the Editor of " Life Lore," the illustration of this specimen is given 

 at the head of this paper. 



