402 $ ; Transactions. 
If the two methods of germination set out above are considered to be 
family on account of the possession of certain other characters. For 
example, it is often claimed—first by Brefeld (1883)—that the probasidia 
of the Ustilaginaceae are invariably transversely septate, those of the 
Tilletiaceae being continuous ; but careful examination of mature cultures 
of members of the Tilletiaceae shows that the probasidia in this family 
also are transversely septate. 
and Tilletia are concerned, but when the development of the spores of those 
genera in which spore-balls occur is considered, as in Sorosporium and 
Urocystis, it is seen that in essentials the method of development is identical 
in eac 
Ustilaginaceae (the older name). This merging of the two families is by no 
means a new idea, for it has already been effected by several writers, 
among whom may be mentioned van Tieghem (1893), and Tubeuf and 
Smith (1897). 
The suborder is poorly represented in New Zealand, for only twenty- 
three species are here recorded, included in seven genera. is is in 
marked contrast to the rusts, of which some 124 species have been collected 
and recorded. It is probable that many additional species will be added 
to the New Zealand records in the future; as specimens come to hand 
they will be dealt with in subsequent papers. 
e writer believes that the object of any taxonomic paper is to present 
dete 
in such @ manner as to enable any one to rmine with a reasonable 
xperi- 
ments, &c., to prove their identity), then the work entailed in their 
up from material in the herbarium of the writer. All drawings have been 
made with the aid of a camera lucida, from spores mounted in 50 per cent. 
lactic-acid solution. Only mature spores have been drawn and measured ; 
these have been obtained by shaking the specimen over a sheet of clean 
notepaper. 
