LEcidtospores. oF 
confounded with circumnutation by some authors,* but is 
simply a hygrometric phenomenon. The distal extremity. 
of the germ-tube of an ecidiospore gains an entrance 
into the tissues of the host-plant through one of the 
stomata. This is effected by either the end of the germ- 
tube or one of its principal branches insinuating itself into 
the cleft (Plate II. Fig. 10). When an entrance has been 
achieved, further development takes place in the air-spaces 
below the stoma, by the branches of the germ-tube grow- 
ing between the cells of the host-plant ; these soon develop 
into a mycelium, which in due course produces the spore- 
form proper to the species. 
The time which the zcidiospores retain their germi- 
native faculty is stated by De Bary to be some weeks. 
From my observations, I should say it is rather a matter 
of hours. Much depends, however, upon the temperature 
and the amount of dryness to which the spores are ex- 
posed. If they be placed in a very moist atmosphere, 
they germinate at once; if, on the contrary, in a perfectly 
dry one, they almost as rapidly die. But if they be kept 
slightly moist and cool, they will remain uninjured for a 
much longer time. I have, however, seldom found them 
germinate after forty-eight hours, and then only a small 
proportion will do so. It is only the mature spores at the 
top of the cup, that have already separated themselves 
from the spore-series, which will germinate. The process 
begins within a few hours after they have been placed in 
water. 
* Cooke, ‘‘ Circumnutation in Fungi,” Quekett Fournal (1884), vol. i. 2nd 
series, p. 309. 
+ De Bary, ‘‘ Vergleich.,” p. 369. 
