Xliv PEOCEEBINGS OP THE 



and Trematoda, but Puccinia Qraminis is the first of the parasitic 

 fungi in which it has been certaiuly ascertained. 



Another interesting part of De Bary's paper is the full account 

 which he gives of the different opinions as to the supposed in- 

 jurious effect of the proximity of Berheris to corn — a notion very 

 prevalent amongst agriculturists, whose views (although somewhat 

 laughed at hitherto by scientific men) receive confirmation from 

 De Bary's observations. 



In the second and third volumes of the ' Selecta Fungorum Car- 

 pologia,' by the brothers Tulasne, we have the completion of a 

 work distinguished alike by the profoundness of its research 

 and the beauty and accviracy of its illustrations. The dif- 

 ferent forms of fructification exhibited successively or contem- 

 poraneously by the same fungus had led to the formation of a 

 host of spurious genera; and the present work contains a selection 

 (from a number of observations) of cases in which the authors 

 have traced the connexion between these different forms, and 

 have succeeded in showing that many genera, sucb as Hendersonia, 

 Diplodia, ProstJieniwn, &c. amongst the Coniomycetes, and Hel- 

 minthosporiwn, Macrosporium, and others amongst the Hypho- 

 mycetes, are nothing more than imperfect or transitory stages in 

 other genera of the great order of Sphseriacei. The observations 

 are far too detailed and extensive to attempt to give any concise 

 or cursory view of them ; but it may be stated generally that the 

 second volume treats of the three great groups of Xylariei, Valsei, 

 and Sphaeriei ; whilst the third includes the Nectriei, besides the 

 groups of the Phacidiei and Pezizei. 



Besides the elimination of the groundless genera above referred 

 to, it has been tbe object of the authors to define more accurately 

 the numerous genera to which their observations relate ; so that, 

 in a classificatory as well as in a physiological point of view, the 

 work is one of the utmost importance, and must be studied by all 

 mycologists who would wish to obtain sound views upon the sub- 

 jects to which it relates. 



Some objections have been taken to the work being written in 

 Latin, as less suitable than French for the present age ; but this is 

 hardly a reasonable complaint, although (as has been observed by 

 an eminent German botanist) it is not obvious at first sight that 

 " Hortl Clodoaldenses " means St. Cloud, " CavillseVersaliorum " 

 Chaville, &c. &c. 



The nature of the organs called cystidia, which occur upon the 

 gills of many of the Agaricini as well as upon Boletus, has been 



