196 



The Naturalist. 



ravages he stated had lately been very destructive to the cereals in this 

 country. The subject may not at first sight appear a very promising 

 one, seeing that it has already engaged the attention of several com- 

 petent investigators, both in this country and on the continent, one of 

 whom, De Bary, may perhaps be regarded as the chief authority for 

 what is known with respect to it. Those, however, who have any 

 acquaintance with the fungus and its allies, are well aware that in 

 spite of all that has hitherto been done, there are many problems that 

 have not yet been solved, and many details which are yet but im- 

 perfectly understood. Moreover, great as is the authority of those 

 who have written upon Puccinia, it is no presumption to' say that in 

 some respects their views require to be tested by renewed investiga- 

 tions, so that they may be confirmed, corrected, or modified as the 

 results obtained may suggest. Hence there can be no doubt that a 

 fresh examination of this fungus and a re-examination of the transform- 

 ations it is said to undergo, can hardly fail to be of value, not only to 

 those who engage in the work, but also to the Union whose interests 

 we have at heart, and it may be to the cause of science itself. It is to 

 be hoped, therefore, that the botanists of the various districts embraced 

 by the Union will take up the subject vfith their usual energy, so that 

 at the close of the season we may be able to show that good and 

 creditable work has been done. It is not necessary to lay down any 

 special methods of investigation, as each one may be safely left to 

 adopt such measures as he deems most suitable to the end in view, 

 and to the circumstances in which he is placed. Still, as it is desir- 

 able that the results obtained by different workers, in different districts, 

 should be ultimately compared and digested, in order that local con- 

 ditions and local colouring may be eliminated therefrom, it would be 

 well if among other details the following particulars were carefully 

 noted : — (1) The date when the fungus was first observed ; (2) the 

 host plants on which it is found ; (3) the nature of the soil on which 

 the infested plants are growing ; (4) conditions of the soil as to 

 moisture, situation, &c. ; (5) the presence or absence of barberries in 

 the neighbourhood, and if so whether they are affected with JSciduim 

 Berberidis ; (6) the presence or absence of other ^cidia-heOiXmg plants 

 besides the barberry ; (7) When the cereals are affected, the locality 

 where the seed-corn was grown, and the presence or absence there of 

 barberries. It need hardly be added in conclusion, that wherever 

 circumstances permit, observation should be supplemented by ex- 

 periment. Especially should experiment be resorted to in order to 

 determine vi/hether spores of a^cidiiim Berberidis can be made to 



