128 FUNGI. 



pseudospores are involved in a gelatinous element. The diffu- 

 sion of these fruits is more or less complete according to their 

 compact or pulverulent nature. In some species of Puccinia the 

 sori are so compact that they remain attached to the leaves long 

 after they are dead and fallen. In the genus Melampsora, the 

 wedge-shaped winter-pseudospores are not perfected until after 

 the dead leaves have for a long time remained and almost rotted 

 on the ground. It is probable that their ultimate diffusion is 

 only' accomplished by the rotting and disintegration of the 

 matrix. In the Gwomacei, Ustilaginei, and JEcidiacei the pseudo- 

 spores are pulverulent, as in some species of Puccinia, and are 

 easily diffused by the' motion of the leaves in the wind, or the 

 contact of passing bodies. Their diffusion in the atmosphere 

 seems to be much less than in the case of the Hypliomyceteg. 

 By what means such a species as Puccinia malvacearum, which has 

 very compact sori, has become within"so short a period diffused 

 over such a wide area, is a problem which in the present state 

 of our knowledge must remain unsolved. It may be through 

 minute and plentiful secondary spores. 



Spbkmatia are very minute delicate bodies found associated 

 with many of the epiphyllous Coniomycetes, and it has been sup- 

 posed are produced in conjunction with some of the Sphwriacei, 

 but their real function is at present obscure, and the name is 

 applied rather upon conjecture than knowledge. It is by no 

 means improbable that spermatia do exist extensively amongst 

 fungi, but we must wait in patience for the history of their 

 relationship. 



Trichospoees might be applied better, perhaps, than conidia 

 to the spores which are produced on the threads of the Hypho- 

 mycetes. Some of them are known to be the conidia of higher 

 plants ; but as this is by no means the case with all, it would be 

 assuming too much to give the name of conidia to the whole. 

 By whatever name they may be called, the spores of the 

 Hyphonvycetes are of quite a different type from any yet men- 

 tioned, approximating, perhaps, most closely to the basidiospores 

 of the Hymenomycetes in some, and Gasteromycetes in others ; 

 as, for instance, in the Sepedoniei and the Trichodermacei. The 



