POLYMORPHIC FUNGI. 411 
all observations should be recorded which bear upon the subject 
of polymorphism, whilst great care ought to be exercised in the 
declaration of positive judgment. 
Reviewing the instances of association aboye recorded, and we 
should prefer, for the present, calling them association only, the 
mind naturally reverts to other and similar recorded instances. 
Supposing the whole of the four forms described above to be con- 
ditions of Spheria cyclospora, there is no greater faith needed to 
believe it true than in the case of Spheria herbarum. If Alterna- 
ria tenuis is really a condition of a Sphæria, why not Alternaria 
chartarum? If Alternaria be associated with Cladosporium, why 
not with Penicillium?” Or if Sporidesmiwm epochnum, why not Spo- 
ridesmium polymorphum? And as for Rhinotrichum and Penicil- 
lium, it is just as possible for these to be polymorphic, as for 
Dactylium, Dendryphium and Verticillium. When the presump- 
tion is confirmed by repetition, and more positive relations, there 
can be no doubt of a much more ready acceptance of their poly- 
morphism than there would have been prior to. the investigations 
of the Messrs. Tulasne and De Bary. 
We are unable, within the limits prescribed for this article to 
explain the relations which subsist between such fungi as the 
“red-rust” and ‘¢mildew” of corn, and the barberry ‘‘ cluster- 
cups ;” or between the “yellow rust” and the “ black brand” of 
the bramble and rose. In other words, the polymorphism of the 
Uredines and their allies. This is less to be regretted, since 
there has not, during the past four or five years, been any impor- 
tant additions to our knowledge on this subject and what had 
previously been discovered and illustrated is very generally known. 
If we are asked what deductions we are to make from the facts 
proved and the presumptions admitted, but not proven, we may 
answer briefly—that the tendency of recent discoveries, in the 
relations of one form to another amongst fungi, is to demonstrate 
that reproduction is not so simple a process in these low condi- 
tions of plant life as had hitherto been supposed. “This it is and 
nothing more.” 
At one time the word “spore” represented the only recognized 
organ associated with the multiplication of fungi. Male organs 
or fecundative power was now and then mysteriously alluded to, 
but until recently all reproduction was supposed to be confined 
to a kind of germinative bud which was termed a spore. Each 
fungus was held to be perfect in itself, and reproduced itself, with 
