1890.] occurring in the Neighbourhood of Simla. 95 



be portions of a pro mycelium. Unfortunately I have never been able to see 

 any sporiclial formation. 1 have kept needles bearing the fructification 

 in a moist atmosphere, but without seeing any germination. My descrip- 

 tion of this parasite is therefore very imperfect. 



Remarks. — In comparing this fungus with Rees's description of 

 Chrysomijxa Ahietis, Ung, there appear to be considerable differences, 

 and especially in the large cells forming the main elements of the fruit 

 body. I have examined numerous sections, but have never seen these 

 cells septated, nor forked. It would therefore almost seem that the 

 parasite is more nearly related to Goleosporium than to Ghrysomyxa. 

 The want of observation of the nature of germination unfortunately 

 precludes any decision on this point, and I have included it among 

 Chrysomyxata on general rather than on particular analogy. Should 

 future research show that it is in fact a Ghrysomyxa it would be an 

 interesting example of the very close morphological relationship between 

 this genus and Goleosporium. 



Among other points of difference may be noticed the larger size of 

 the teleutospore beds in the European species, the smaller number of 

 them on each needle (one to two), their eru]3tion from the under surface 

 of the needle, the conspicuous yellow bands of discolouration produced 

 on the needles, the smaller number of teleutospore cells on each fruit 

 body (about 12 against 20 in Simla), and the presence of haustoria. 



CAEOMA, Link. 



1. Caeoma Smilacis, Barclay. 

 On Smilax aspera, L. 



For a detailed description of this parasite I must refer the reader 

 to a paper on its life history in the " Scientific Memoirs by Medical 

 Officers of the Army of India," Part IV. It is apparently a complete 

 autoecious species, but the experimental evidence for this is not complete.* 



The aecidial stage is found in July on the newly evolved leaves and 

 their petioles. Bright yellow patches are formed on the leaves, more 

 or less irregular in shape, and varying in size from a small point to 

 2 cm. in diameter. These patches are considerably thickened. When 

 mature such patches bear minute brownish papillae on both surfaces, 

 which are the aecidia. The latter open by a pore, through which the 

 aecidiospores are extruded. These patches also bear spermogonia mostly 

 on the upper leaf surface. 



In October, when the aecidial stage is disappearing, the same 

 generation of leaves bear uredo pustules, formed by a distinct mycelium. 



* Since this paper was read I have completed the evidence. 



