5 2 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



"cluster-cups; and microscopic fungi." 



Mr. Sylvanus Wear next read a paper on " Microscopic 

 Fungi," with special reference to the cup-fungus forms known as 

 sEcidii, or Cluster-cups, which was very lucidly written, notwith- 

 standing the strictly technical nature of the subject. He alluded 

 to the method of dividing plants into two classes — first, plants 

 which have definite ascending and descending axes, that is, such 

 as develop stem, branch, and leaf; second, those which do not so 

 develop, but which consist of a thallus — the term thallus being 

 applied to an undifferentiated foliar structure — giving no indication 

 of branch, stem, or leaf. This latter division consists of Algoe and 

 Fungi, and it was with Fungi of a microscopic nature, and more 

 especially those that are found upon plants, that the essayist 

 dealt. The paper was, in the first instance, admirably illustrated 

 by means of diagrammatic sketches, indicating briefly the life-history 

 of some of the Micro-fungi '; and then, after it was read, by a series 

 of microscopic slides, showing Cluster-cups, Rusts, &c, found on 

 plants. The value of the latter was greatly enhanced owing to the 

 fact that many of the examples shown were taken recently from 

 various plants in the immediate neighbourhood of the city. After 

 speaking of Bacteria and Yeast, remarking about the latter that it, 

 like Bacteria, is single-celled, and that it increases by budding so 

 long as it has plenty to feed upon. Mr. Wear went on to speak in 

 succession of Smut in wheat, Mould of bread, the Potato disease, 

 the Hop disease, Ergot in rye, and Rust, or mildew, of wheat. 

 The points of resemblance and the points wherein they differ were 

 referred to when comparing the cycles, or life-histories, of the 

 separate fungus in each of these cases. The havoc wrought in the 

 potato and wheat crops was clearly explained. For example, 

 regarding the latter, the method of procedure is something like 

 the following. In spring or early summer a spore falls on a blade 

 of wheat. In a few hours it germinates, sending out a germ tube 

 groping for a breathing-pore, or stoma. Having entered the 



