1847.] Brand in the Cereals. 187 



when the kernels are somewhat moist it increases most extraordi- 

 narily and sticks the kernels together. 



Explanation of the Illustrations. 



Fig. 8, an ear affected by the ranch brand of the natural size. 

 Figs. 9, 10, 11, seeds and i'ruit buds {bl'dfhen) of rye, affected by 

 the ranch brand of the natural size. Fig. 12, single fibres of the 

 fungus with spores. Fig. 13, single celled. Fig. 14, many cell- 

 ed spores much magnified. Fig. 15, a germinating spore of the 

 ranch brand greatly magnified. 



VIII. The Red Corn Brand. Spindel brand, Septa sporium 

 graminum [Corda). Fusarium heterosporum (JVees). 

 Plate III. Fig. 16—20. 

 This parasite likewise belongs not to the species of brand, but 

 to the fungi on the outer skin \haut pilfzen). It appears on the 

 fruit knots of the grasses, especially of the ray grasses, and of rye, 

 and forms on the same, a deep-red, compact, afterwards confluent, 

 moist gelatinous mass, which, generally, is from two to three 

 tiniis, but often becomes half an inch long, and sticks together 

 the pai ts of the fruit bud (bluthenthiele). The kernels or seed of 

 the grasses when they are attacked by this fungus appear swelled 

 up and deformed (Figs. 16, 17, 18), and their outer skin is 

 wholly impaired, while the albuminous substance remains totally 

 unaltf led, and the starchmeal also undergoes no perceptible dete- 

 rioration. The fungus itself, as seen in their sections under a 

 micioscope, forms directly over the destroyed seed skin, a confus- 

 ed cellular, fleshy, thin, reddish-white layer (Fig. 19 a); on which 

 the cells forming the spores called basidal (Fig. 19, b), are de- 

 veloped, as single separate fibres. These cells form on their tops 

 and [tartly between themselves, long spindle-shaped, four celled, 

 transparent, pale-red spores (Fig. 19 b, 20 c), tapering at both ends, 

 of fiom 0,00090 to 0.00110 Paris inch in length; which when 

 balled up together compose the deep-red cover of the fungus. 

 Between the spores are often found wasted three celled or single 

 celled egg-shaped spores (Fig. 20). The fungus itself is not in- 

 jurious, but on damp meadows it often to a considerable extent, 

 deteriorates the ears of ray grasses; on rye I have seen it to ap- 

 pear tiijundantly, only in quite elevated situations on the borders 

 of th ye culture. 



Explanation of the Illustrations. 

 rit;s. 16, 17, 18, single degenerated seeds of rye affected by 

 the fu! ';us of the natural size. Fig. 19, a thinner section of the 

 fungu- ;nagnified; a, the fleshy bearer, the bassidse; c, the spores. 

 Fig, 2'J. single spores much magnified. 



