192 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



Of the horny sponges we gathered a good example in Dendrilla, 

 rosea, which has the shape of a number of finger-like processes 

 rising up from a basal portion. Up these digitate processes runs 

 a horny fibre from which smaller horny fibres are given off. The 

 circulation is carried on through the inhalent pores, which occur 

 in groups or areas, and out at small oscula scattered irregularly 

 over the surface. 



Whilst we were engaged in marine operations Mr. T. S. Hart 

 arrived to take charge of the geological contingent. Leading his 

 party southwards, he pointed out the chief geological features of 

 the district as shown in the cUffs, and directed attention to the 

 best places for collecting fossils, some of which were carried 

 home to enrich cabinets and act as reminders of a very pleasant 

 day spent under the cliffs at Beaumaris. — Rev. W. Fielder. 



THE UNDESCRIBED UREDOSPORES OF PUCCINIA 

 BURCHARDIjE, LUDVVIG. 



By D, M'Alpine, F.C.S. 



(Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, \?>th 

 November, 1893.^ 



Specimens of Burchardia umbellata, with a rust upon them, were 

 sent to Professor Dr. F. Ludwig, of Greiz, in October, 1890, by 

 Mr. J. G. O. Tepper, F.L.S., of South Australia. The rust was 

 found to be new, and named, after the host-plant, Puccinia Bur- 

 chardice. Professor Ludwig has described this new species of 

 Puccinia in vol. iii., part 3, of the "Zeitschrift fiir Pflanzenkrank- 

 lieiten, 1893," under date 12th April. Only teleutospores were 

 found, and no uredospores, although the specimens of Burchardia 

 sent were in full flower. 



While on a botanical excursion with students on 4th Novem- 

 ber, at Cheltenham, I came across large patches of Burchardia 

 zcmbellata just at the end of the flowering stage, and in many 

 instances with the remains of the perianth still attached. The 

 plants were found growing in sandy soil, on sloping ground, 

 which was evidently naturally well drained. Although the rust 

 was so common in this district, I have carefully looked out for it 

 elsewhere— for instance at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, 

 Burnley, and in my up-country travels — but have not met with it, 

 although the plant is so very common and widely distributed. 

 Mr. French informs me, however, that he has come across rusted 

 specimens in most parts where the flower grows. The plants 

 found by me were literally black with what proved to be Puccinia 

 BurchardicB, Ludw., and since the fungus has only been recorded 

 for South Australia, and only found upon the leaves, but more 



