960 



XIII. FUNGI. 



Section II. — Conceptacle membranous, more or less thick, fleshy, coriaceous or 

 horny, sessile or pedicelled, opening variously and enclosing the clinodium {Endoclinal 

 ClinosporecB). 



PRINCIPAL 'GENERA. 



Hendersonia. 



CEcidium. 



Eoestelia. 



Peridermium. 



Endophyllum. 



Aotinothyrium. 



Leptothyrium. 



Parmuiavia. 



Aateroma. 



Pestalozzia. 



Discosia. 



Dilophospora. 



Neottiospora. 



Prostheniium 



Spheeronema. 



Hercospora. 



Septaria. 



Phoma. 



Melasmia. 



Poly chse ton. 

 Phylacia. 

 Piptostonium. 

 Scopinula. 



Microthecium. 



Angicispoma. 



Ravenalia. 



The Tuberculm-ice are extremely common Fungi ; they affect the hark of branches, and are 

 remarkable for their intense red colour. Several species of Sphccria live parasitically upon them, and this 

 parasitism is so frequent, that it has led some botanists to look upon them as a peculiar (conididl) con- 

 dition of the Spli<eria on which they grow ; that is to say, a supplementary mode by which these Splusrice 

 are reproduced ; but when we find the same Tubercularia giving birth simultaneously to two perfectly 

 distinct SpIupricB (S. parasitans and jS. cinnabarina), and the common Tubercularia of the Gooseberry 

 sometimes supporting "S. cinnabarina and appendiculata (which is certainly not a variety), — Fusarium auran- 

 tiacum bearing at the same time 8. pulicaris and oleiiim, and F. tremellosum producing at the same time 

 Peziza Ttdamorum and Sphcsiia coccinea — it may be doubted whether the theory of this conidial state 

 rests on a firm base. To support it, it has been found necessary to unite different species of Fusarium 

 and Selenosporium in one, as has been done with Tubercularia. Sphacelia vegetum vegetates between the 

 pericarp and the ovule of Graminece and Cyperacece ; during development it rends the pericarp and sup- 

 presses it, and affects thg growth of the ovule, and is then termed ergot; this ergot somewhat resembles 

 the seed in shape, but has no envelopes ; it has a foetid smell, and a very deep violet or black fissured 

 surface ; if sown it does not germinate, but if one of its ends he placed in [he earth, and it be. covered by 

 a bell-glass, it produces two elegant Spharice (S. pnrpiirca and mic7c.cfp7<nln). The same ergot has been 

 seen to bear both these at the same time. The Stillce have the s.nme structure as Tubercularia, only their 

 pedicel is longer; they are also regarded as the conidial state of srme Sphceria. The spores of Astero- 

 sponVm, placed between two plates of glass, refcmble a star, and still more vshat was formerly called 

 a Crow-foot. The spores of DictyoFporium are oval, compressed, and latticed like the leaves of Ouvir- 

 andra. 



TMost of the diseases of our cereals must be attributed to the group of Clinospwem, whose spores 

 pierce the tissues of their leaves and roots. The Rust of Wheat, which comprises two badly-described 

 species ( Uredo linearis and U. Subigo-vera), appears as a yellow or orange dust on the leaves and straw 

 of Graminece ; it is composed of spherical or slightly ovoid globules. The Greater Rust ( U. Vilmorinea) is 

 easily distinguished by its large elliptic spores, covered with very small, usually shortly pedicelled spiculse, 

 and by its dark orange colour: it appears principally on the haulm; when very prevalent, the farmers say 

 that the Wheat is turning red. It has been believed, on their authority, that this Rust is the first state of 

 Mildew (Puccinia Graminis) ; but to prove the contrary, it is only necessary to place a mark ou the stalks 

 under observation. The Rust of the Glumes ( U. ghimarum) is developed on the floral envelopes, and 

 often on the seed itself. It does not really exist, for we find on the same glumes and bolls the three 

 species in quest" on, and with them the Puccinia Grantinis. Bunt {Ustilago Caries) is very common, and 

 attacks Wheat, occupying the interior of the pericarp, and leaving no trace of the ovule ; the diseased 

 seed nearly retains its shape, but when pressed emits an unctuous soft pulp or black dust, which 

 smells like decaying fish. Smut ( Ustilago segeivm) is a Fungus which usuips the place of the ovule of 

 cereals, or renders them abortive, attacking the pericarp, floral envelopes, and even the spikelets, and 

 reducing them to a black powder which is wafted to a distance by the wind. It is observed in Wheat, 

 Barley, Oats, Millet, and Sorghum, but very rarely in Rye. The Maize Smut (J7. Maydis) is remarkable 

 from its attacking all parts of the plant above ground, forming larger or smaller irregular tubercles, which 

 finally break and emit a black sanious matter that stains all parts of the plant. If the organs of fructi- 

 fication are attacked, no fruit is to be expected. Fuccinice are brown or blackish parasitic Fungi, the 



