l)ij 



Contributions on the Fungal Flora, of 

 Australia. 



By Professok Dr. F. Ludwig, of Greiz, Germany. 

 [Translated and communicated by J. G. O. Tepper, F.L.S.] 



[Read December 2, 1890.] 



I. — The Parasitic Fungi, classed as "Rusts" and "Smuts" 

 (Uredine^e and Ustilagixe.e). 



The Rusts and Smuts belong to those moulds, which, on the 

 one side, may be studied by the general public, but have special 

 interest for the owner of a microscope on account of their diver- 

 sity of forms ; on the other side they enforce general recognition 

 by infesting many flowering jDlants, notably those cultivated by 

 farmers, gardeners, foresters, &c., which are sometimes not only 

 seriously damaged by them, but wholly destroyed. The more 

 complete knowledge of these moulds has led people in Europe to 

 avoid much damage and loss in various instances. Thus the 

 ordinary Corn Rust (Fuccinia gramhiis) is decreasing since the 

 Berberis-hedges are being removed from the neighbourhood of 

 cornfields (upon these the ^cidium-generation is developed) ; 

 plantations of conifers and fruit-trees remain both free from the 

 attack of the rusts since they are being rigorously separated, 

 because the Gy mnosporanguim species of the Coniferse require 

 the fruit-trees to complete upon them their Rcestelia-stage, and 

 vice versa. 



Another corn rust, Fuccinia rubigo-rera, is also widely distri- 

 buted in South Australia ; its ^cidia develope upon Boraginaceous 

 plants. It is tlierefore only necessary to discover the particular 

 species in order to limit and prevent the spreading of the rust. 



In this direction there are numerous other practical problems 

 connecting themselves with this question, rvhich can only he solved 

 with any certainty when the fungal flora of the respective country 

 is approxi))iately known. This, as shown by the following List 

 of known Australian Rusts and Smuts, is by no means yet the 

 case. In this direction even the ordinary practical worker can 

 render valuable assistance, also those scientific students who are 

 actively engaged in other specialties could turn advantageously 

 some of their attention to the fungi. In the interest of the 

 elucidation of the fungus flora of South Australia, and of the 

 later practical deductions that might be drawn from the results 



