38 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



rusts and smuts of wheat actually found in the colony. The 

 typical rust of wheat was Puccinia graminis, Pers., and in the 

 course of a rapid sketch of its life-history it was shown how the 

 Red Rust was at first called Uredo linearis, and the so-called 

 Black Rust Puccinia grami?iis, the fact not being then known that 

 the self-same fungus produced the red spores, or uredo spores, or 

 summer spores, for rapid multiplication, and the black (chestnut- 

 brown) spores, or teleuto spores, or winter spores, for repro- 

 ductiop in ihe ensuing spring. The ^cidium of the Barberry 

 was likewise shown — not a native specimen, however, as it has 

 never been found in Australia — and its connection with the rust 

 in wheat discussed. The group Uredinese, to which the rusts 

 belong, was next noticed. Thereafter specimens of the " red " 

 and " black " rust were passed round, and the spores of each ex-^ 

 amined under the microscope as to their shape, size, colour, 

 surface, transparency, and contents. The effects of some re- 

 agents were likewise noted, such as caustic potash dissolving out 

 the contents. The smuts next came in for their share of atten- 

 tion, and the loose mode of naming them prevalent among 

 farmers was deprecated. The typical smut of wheat, &c., Ustilago 

 tritici, from which the group name of Ustilaginese was obtained, 

 was first considered. Next the Stinking Smut or Bunt of wheat, 

 having the smell of stinking fish — TiLletia tritici; and lastly the 

 so-called Flag Smut — Urocystis occulta. Abundant specimens of 

 each were handed round, and the spores again critically examined 

 under the microscope, for in dealing with fungi it is a truth to be 

 remembered, " By their spores ye shall know them." The small 

 and smooth spores of the Loose Smut, or Ustilago tritici, were 

 contrasted with the larger and reticulated spores of the Bunt, or 

 Tilletia tritici, while the spores of the Flag Smut, or Urocystis 

 occulta, were most peculiar. Each spore consists of one to three 

 cells, surrounded by several smaller sterile cells, like so many little 

 bladders, giving lightness to the structure and exposing a relatively 

 larger surface to the action of the wind for purposes of dissemina- 

 tion. Several questions were asked and answered, and measures 

 of prevention for Bunt, such as steeping the seed before sowing 

 in hot water at a temperature of about 131° F., were referred 

 to. Various specimens of other rusts and smuts were shown, 

 and the keen interest evinced in the specimens, as they were 

 mounted and examined by the owners of the microscopes, 

 showed that a pleasant and profitable evening had been 

 spent. 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On a ballot being taken. Miss L. J. Little, B.Sc, Dr. Cherry, 

 B.S., and Messrs. J. Cox, L. Gries, and G. Hartkopf were duly 

 elected members of the Club. 



