196 



FLORA OF NEW ZEALAND. 



[Fungi. 



Gen. XLVI. USTILAGO, LJc. 



Reeeptaculum effusum, e cellulis minimis irregularibus cornpositum. Spores minores, simplices, pul- 

 veracese. 



The species of this genus do not form in general distinct specks, as in most Uredines, but occupy the whole of 

 the part of the plant on which they grow, or, if sori are present, they are more or less elongated, and occur only in 

 Graminea. Almost all of them are very dusty and disagreeable to handle. The species are found in all climates. 

 (Name from ustus, burnt.) 



1. Ustilago Candottei: var. a. Berkeley ana, Tulasne, Ann. des 8c. 1847. v. 7 . p. 94. 

 Hab. On the inflorescence of Polygonum prostralmm, Mangatawiri, near Waikato, Colenso. 



2. Ustilago endotricha, Berk. ; soris magnis circumfusis aterrirnis ipso pedunculo oriundis, sporis 

 fibris crispis immixtis subglobosis laevibus mirmtissime granulatis. (Tab. CVI. Pig. 4.) 



Hab. On the peduncles of the panicles of Gahnia, Auckland, Sinclair. 



Forming ellipsoidal bodies an inch long, arising from the peduncle, but leaving the central tissue nearly sound, 

 consisting of a mass of curled filaments, derived probably from the spiral vessels, but traversed by abundant mycelium, 

 from the threads of which, either terminally or otherwise, spring abundant spores, at first pyriform, with frequently 

 a distinct apiculus, and perfectly smooth, but gradually becoming darker and at length very minutely granulated, 

 extremely variable in size : some are less than s-j-Vo °f an mon ^ 0XI E> while others exceed -g-^Vo- The abundant 

 mycelium of this species is very remarkable, as also the mode of origination of the spores. I have a closely allied 

 species on some Oarex, allied to C. Indica, from Ceylon, in which the fibres are so abundant, that it looks like an 

 MacMstea. — Plate CVI. Fig. 4. Ustilago endotricha, natural size. a. Section of U. endotricha, showing the pale 

 axis, and radiating hairs, magnified, b, c. Hairs, which consist of the tissues of the plant, and exhibit mycelium 

 and young spores, more highly magnified, d. A group of young spores, magnified 250 diameters, e, e. Spores sepa- 

 rated from the mycelium, magnified to the same degree. 



3. Ustilago bullata, Berk. ; soris bullatis rachidem glumasque deformantibus, sporis subglobosis 

 amplis. (Tab. CYI. Fig. 12.) 



Hab. On Triticum scabrum, Raoul, Colenso. 



Forming bullate, black spots on the glumes, rachis, and other parts of the inflorescence, which are sometimes 

 greatly elongated. Spores subglobose, but irregular, even or only very obscurely rough, -j-gVo of an inch in diameter ; 

 nucleus pale. A few vesicular threads are mixed with the spores, evidently arising from the altered tissue of the 

 matrix. — A very distinct species, with the habit of U. Pompholygodes. It is nearest perhaps to U. Salveii, but differs 

 in habit and in the even smaller spores, which have not the same tendency to become obovate. In U. Salveii the 

 spores are about -^too °f an i ncE l° n & &n & are evidently echinulate. Tulasne considers it only a form of U. carlo, 

 var. a. vulgaris. — Plate CV. Fig. 12. Ustilago bullata, natural size. a. Spores, magnified 250 diameters. 



Gen. XLVII. iECIDIUM, Gmel. 



Spores concatenatse, in soros congestse, peridio membranaceo demuin lacerato-aperto cinctae. 



A vast genus, distinguished by its beautiful membranous peridium, which sometimes acquires a considerable 

 length. The species are found principally in temperate regions. Some are very destructive to the plants on which 

 they grow. (Name from awwv, a wheal or stripe, and aSco, I resemble.) 



1. iEcidium Ranunculacearum, DC, M. Fr. v. 6. p. 97. 

 Hab. On leaves of Ranunculus rivularis, Esparaima, Colenso. 



2. iEcidium monocystis, Berk. ; peridiis solitariis magnis, margine irregulari subelongato, sporis pal- 

 lidis. (Tab. CV. Fig. 15.) 



