180 DECADES OP MAINE FUNGI. 



Bcrberidls is an associate-form of Puccinia graminis, rests for the present upon 

 the observation of one individual, and requires confirmation before it can be 

 accepted. 



iECIDIACEI. 



The Family JEcidiacei consists, as far as our knowledge of North American 

 species is concerned, of three genera, thus briefly characterized : 

 Spores contained within a peridium. 

 Peridium elongated, 



separating in threads — Rcestelia. 

 rupturing irregularly — Peridermium. 

 Peridium abbreviated or semi-immersed — IEcidium. 



Ecestelia, Rebent. 



Peridium elongated, at length opening by lateral fissures, or a terminal lacerated 

 mouth. Spermogonia on the opposite surface ; on the same, or on different 

 leaves. 

 Two European species have already been found in Maine. Schweinitz 



records four in his ' Synopsis,' but two of these I have not seen. 



Rcestelia lacerata, Tul. Peridia clustered in tufts, brown, elongated, split- 

 ting to the base in segments: spores light brown. 



On the under surface of the leaves, and on the petioles and fruit of Hawthorn, 

 (Crataegus) &c. Westbrook : E. C. B. 



(Rcestelia cylinclrites— (in part)— Schweinitz Tyn. Car. No. 432. Fung. Am. Bor. No. 

 2S99.— JEcidium laceratum. Kavencl, Fungi. Car. Ex. V, No. 96.) 



Rcestelia cancellata, Eeb. Spots yellow, then red, prominent ; peridia 

 split to the base into lacinias which remain united at the apex. On Pear leaves 

 &c. (Westbrook: E. C. B.) 



(JEcidium cancellatum, Schweinitz Syn. Car. No. 433. Ecestelia rcesteliles, Schw. 

 Fung. Am. Bor. No. 2900.) 



JEcidium, Pers. 



Peridium seldom elongated, opening by a terminal mouth, surrounded by a 

 fringe of recurved teeth, or when short bursting irregularly. Spores disposed 

 in chains. Spermogonia on the same or the opposite surface, clustered or 

 scattered, central or intermixed. 



A large genus, well represented in the United States. 



iEcidium Geranii, DC. Spots yellow and purple; peridia in circinating 

 clusters. Spores yellow ; at length brown. 



On the under surface of leaves of Geranium, "Westbrook: E. C. B. 



(JEcidium, Geranii maculati. Schweinitz Syn. Car. No. 443. JEcidium Geraniatum. 

 Schw. Fung. Am. Bor. No. 2879.) 



iEcidium crassum, Pers. Spots yellow-brown, subiculum thickened; peridia 

 crowded into a roundish heap, at first globose, yellow, at length open ; spores 

 orange. 



On leaves of Rhamnus &c. (Canton, N. Y. ; Maine.) 



(Ravenelj Fungi Car. exsic. i. No. 92.) 



