434 DR LAUDER LINDSAY ON THE 



probability at present therefore is, that if it is proper to maintain upon botanical 

 records the names of so many species as at present established, this merits at least 

 one separate place among their number. 



4. Whether the forms occurring on Clematis, Microseris, and Epilobium are 

 species, varieties, or conditions ? 



It will be a further and interesting problem for the local Botanist to determine 

 — Whether the same species or forms of jEcidium affect plants of different species, 

 genera, and orders ; or, on the other hand, whether certain species, genera, or orders 

 of Phsenogams are characterised by their specific parasitic JEcidia. The present 

 probability is all in favour of the first supposition. The genus in all its forms is 

 eminently deserving of study by resident Fungologists ; because, in addition to the 

 points of interest already enumerated, some at least of its species are most 

 destructive to the flowering plants on which they are parasitic. 



In all probability several, if not many, species or forms of this large genus 

 JEcidium remain to be added to the Flora of New Zealand. 



III. FUNGO-LICHENES. (Plate XXX.) 



I have elsewhere* pointed out the desirability or propriety of instituting and 

 maintaining an intermediate provisional class between Lichens and Fungi for the 

 purpose of separately grouping a number of doubtful organisms — mostly parasites 

 on the thallus or apothecia of Lichens — regarding which our knowledge cannot 

 yet be said to be either complete or satisfactory, and which, so far as they have 

 been at all specially studied, are the subject of most opposite opinions among Lichen- 

 ologists and Fungologists. They are placed now among Lichens, now among 

 Fungi, by different authors, whether Lichenologists or Fungologists. They par- 

 take of the characters of both these classes of Cryptogams. They are in great 

 measure lost sight of in the ranks of either ; while their interest as connecting- 

 links between Lichens and Fungi is such as to render it most desirable to keep 

 them prominently under the notice of Botanists till present conflicting views are 

 reconciled, and their true place in classification is established. Some, if not most, 

 of the parasites in question are to this day equally the puzzles of Lichenologists 

 and Fungologists — the"opprobria,"ofLichenology audFungology. Lichenologists, 

 regarding them as Fungi, give them no special examination ; while Fungologists, 

 considering them mere degenerations or imperfect conditions of Fungi (if Fungi at 

 all), and with equal probability Lichens, also appear to give them no adequate atten- 

 tion. The consequence of this common neglect is, that there is perhaps no group 

 either of Lichens or Fungi of which we really know so little of a precise character. 

 The group of Fungo-Lichenes is incapable of precise scientific definition. It is a 



* On Arthonia melaspermella, Nyl — Journal of Linnean Society, vol. ix. (Botany), p. 268. 



