226 CURREY——MYCOLOGICAL NOTES. 
threads or fibres, which, as | have mentioned, are often seen 
protruding from the surface of the yellow disc, are, I am 
satisfied, portions of the tissue of the leaf carried upwards by 
the growth of the fungus, and have no real connection with 
the parasite. Fig. 3 represents a specimen of the fungus 
deprived of its outer black ring, and in which these fibres 
are very numerous, traversing the vast heap of conglomerated 
loose spores which form the dise in every direction. This 
figure is magnified about fifty diameters. If the above view 
of the structure of the plant be correct there can be little 
doubt, I think, that its proper place is in the tribe of the 
Uredinez ; and in this view I am fortified by the opinion of 
M. Tulasne, who, in speaking of Graphiola, says—‘‘ Si eum 
Uredinei nostrates admiserint, sibi, ut opinor, socium maxime 
abnormem ac de specie vix consentaneum, licet fortassis 
revera legitimum adsciscent.” At the same time I cannot 
but feel doubtful as to the systematic position of a plant 
which by different botanists has been associated with such 
various genera as Lycogala, Cicidium, Hypoxylon, and 
Phacidium; and the more so since I know that Dr. Montagne’s 
observations (which I hope will shortly be made public) have 
led him to different conclusions. 
Phragmidium bulbosum.—In the fifth volume of the ‘ Mi- 
croscopical Journal’ I have recorded some observations upon 
the structure and germination of the spores of this fungus, 
and have also noticed a peculiar mode of germination which 
took place in a closely allied plant, viz., Triphragmium 
Ulmarie. In the germination of the Phragmidium a fila- 
ment proceeds from each (so-called) joint of the spore, which 
filament becomes divided by septa at the extremity into 
several cells, and from these cells secondary filaments are 
protruded, which are crowned by small globular vesicles of a 
brilliant orange colour, as shown in Plate VIII of vol. vy, 
figs. 18, 19; and I have now to notice (what perhaps might 
have been anticipated) that it is not necessary, in order to 
produce germination, that the spores of the Phragmidium 
should be perfect. Fig. 4 represents a spore torn from its 
stalk, im which the upper joint has thrown out its germ- 
filament, and the latter, although it has not attained the usual 
length, has become septate, and produced the orange- 
coloured vesicles in the regular manner. Fig. 5 represents a 
fragment of a spore from which two at least, if not three 
joints, have been separated; but which, nevertheless, has 
germinated in the usual way, and at the extremity of the 
germ one of the orange-coloured vesicles is still attached. 
