270 FLORA OF TASMANIA. [ Fungi, by M. J. Berkeley. 
This, like other genera of sporiferous Spheria, is composed of more or less doubtful species, inasmuch as they 
may be spermatiferous forms of higher genera. Till more however is known on the subject, it is needful to retain 
them in their appointed place; and even after due eliminations have been made, it is very possible that there may 
still be really autonomous productions amongst them. (Name from capa, a globe, and varpa, gelatine.) — 
l. Sphzeronzema rufum (Fr. Syst. Myc. ii. p. 536). 
Has. On exposed wood, Archer. 
The specimens on analysis exhibit the structure of a Sclerotium, as in fact do many true Spheriacee in a young 
state. It is curious that this is the only production of the group which has been collected in Tasmania. It is 
scarcely however credible that such productions as Phoma, Leptostroma, etc., should be entirely wanting. 
Gen. LV. /ECIDIUM, Gmel. 
Spore concatenate, in soros congestze, peridio membranaceo demum lacerato-aperto cincta. 
The delicate peridium and the bright spores which it encloses make these little parasites extremely pretty ob- 
jects. The species are however comparatively rare in the southern hemisphere. Two of the three Tasmanian spe- 
cies appear to be perfectly distinct from those of Europe. (Name from au«ov, a wheal, and eio, to resemble.) 
l. ZEcidium soleniseforme (Berk.); maculis orbicularibus fuscis, peridiis cylindricis elongatis 
candidis apice laciniato-radiatis, sporis subangularibus aurantiacis. 
Has. On pods of Goodia latifolia, Archer. 
Forming round brown spots. Peridia crowded, central, white, nearly a line long, irregularly divided above. 
Spores mostly angular, often 5-6-angled, about — inch across; border of cells of the peridium striate.—Resem- 
bling Zeidium Berberidis. 
2. ZEcidium cystoseiroides (Berk.) ; pustulatum, folia deformans, peridio immerso, sporis auran- 
tiacis subangulatis. 
Has. On Opercularia varia, J. D. H., Gunn. 
Forming little pustules on the upper side of the leaves, which it swells out so as tolook like the fruit of a 
Cystoseira. Peridia immersed within the pustules, bursting at the apex. Spores rather angular, orange, very minutely 
echinulate, at first forming necklaces, 
3. ZEcidium ranunculacearum (DC. Fl. Fr. vi. p. 97). 
Has. On a small species of Ranunculus : St. Patrick's River, Nov. 1844, Gunn. 
Gen. LVI. USTILAGO, Zz. 
Receptaculum effusum, e cellulis minimis irregularibus compositum. Spore minores simplices, pulve- 
races, 
Most of the species have loose soot-like spores, but in a few they are closely compacted. (Name from ustus, 
burnt.) 
1. Ustilago solida (Berk.) ; compacta, globosa, atra, sporis subglobosis levibus. (Tas. CLXXXIII. 
Fig. 11.) 
Has. On Chatophora imberbis : Penguite, Dec. 1845, Gunn. 
Forming little, globose, pill-shaped, compact bodies, scarcely a line across, jet-black. Spores aggregate, sub- 
globose, I inch in diameter, mostly smooth, but rarely exhibiting two or three flat vesicular prominences, mixed 
with shreds of tissue and threads. — This species connects Ustilago and Sporisporium.—Piate CLXXXIII. Fig. 11, 
plant, nat. size; a, group of Spores, magnified ; b, separate spores, highly magnified. 
