168 



Mycologia 



in New Jersey. Later Saccardo transferred it to the genus Pczi- 

 zella as P. oenotherae (C. & E.) Sacc. It is left for the present 

 in this genus. Adopting, however, the oldest known specific 

 name applied to any stage, it becomes Pczizclla lythri (Desm.) 

 new combination. 



This fungus in one or another of its stages has been found on 

 about fifty different host plants widely distributed through North 

 America and Europe, and is also found in South America. 



The cultural and morphological characteristics of^ the various 

 stages are described. 



Cross inoculation experiments show that the fungus is a weak 

 parasite and passes readily under favorable conditions from one 

 host to another. 



The chaos which at present prevails in the taxonomy and mor- 

 phology of the ascomycetes is discussed and the imperative need 

 of establishing a more stable system of nomenclature pointed out. 

 The application of the type method, it is believed, would accom- 

 plish this end. 



The great need and importance of life history studies is em- 

 phasized, as such studies will supply important data for deter- 

 mining the natural relationships of the genera and species of 

 fungi and also furnish information of exceeding value and direct 

 bearing on phytopathological problems. 



Bureau of Plant Industry, 

 Washington, D. C. 



Literature Cited 

 1823. Kunze, G. Kunze & Schmidt. Myk. Heft. 2: 92. 

 1846. Desmazieres, J. B. H. J. PI. Crypt. France Ser. I, No. 1545. 



1846. Leveille, J, H. Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. Ser. III. 5: 281. 



1847. Desmazieres, J. B. H. J. Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. Ser. III. 8: 17. 

 1 85 1. Westendorp, G. D. Herb. Crypt. Beige No. 544. 



1870. Fuckel, L. Symb. Myc. 383- pi. 2, fig. 28. 



1871. Karsten, P. A. Myc. Fenn. 1: 15, 187. 



1878. Cooke, M. C. & Ellis, J. B. Grev. 6: 84, 90. 



1880. Saccardo, P. A. Mich. 2: 168. 



1881. • Fun. Ital. pi. 1035, 1039. 



1882. Mich. 2: 540. 



1882. Mich. 2: 574. 



1882. Spegazzini, C. An. cien. Argentina 13: 14 

 1884. Saccardo, P. A. Syll. Fun. 3: 635. 

 1884. Syll. Fun. 3: 699. 



