CUNNINGHAM.— The Ustilagineae, or “ Smuts,” of New Zealand. 425 
2. Tilletia levis Kuehn. (Text-figs. 19, 30.) 
Kuehn, Hedw., vol. 12, p. 152, 1873. 
Ustilago foetens Berk. et Curt., Grev., vol. 3, p. 59, 1874. Tilletia foetens (B. & C.) 
L, Parasit. Fung. Wis., p. 35, 1884. 
Sori in ovaries, concealed within the glumes, ovate or elliptical, 5-8 mm. 
long, dark brown, fetid. 
Spores globose to shortly elliptical, 17-25 x 15-17 mmm.;  epispore 
smooth, pallid brown, 1-5-2 mmm. thick. 
Host: Triticum vulgare Vill. In inflorescences. Herb. Nos. 401, 1266. 
Ashburton (Canterbury), 30 m., H. H. Allan! 21 March, 1921. Lincoln 
(Canterbury), 80 m., F. E. Ward! 27 Jan., 1922. 
Distribution : World-wide. 
TexT-riG. 30.—Tilletia levis Kuehn. а, septate probasidium with a terminal whorl 
of conidia; 5, conjugating conidia, producing secondary conidia, c. 
This, together with the following species, is known as ^ stinking-smut "' 
of wheat, on account of the fetid smell the spore-mass emits when crushed. 
e stinking-smuts are the two most important smuts attacking this 
host, for not only do they destroy the inflorescences, but their presence, even 
in small quantities, renders the grain unfit for milling, partly on account o 
the musty smell such grain possesses, partly because the flour is supposed to 
have a toxic effect when consumed. It is further claimed that if such 
grain be fed to poultry disastrous results may follow. For example, 
McAlpine (1910, p. 81) records the effect upon the egg-laying propensities 
of 650 fowls fed with smutted wheat: the egg-yield dropped from a daily 
average of 100 to 16. Other authors record detrimental effects to stock, 
such as staggering, inflammation, and even occasional abortion. 
