Fitzpatrick, Thomas, Kirby: Ophiobolus 



31 



foreign collections of Ophiobolus associated with the take-all dis- 

 ease. Moreover, the economic importance of the disease has made 

 desirable the publication of an illustrated description of the fungus 

 for the use of those who are searching in various sections of the 

 country for infected plants. This is particularly true since the 

 published descriptions of grass-inhabiting species of Ophiobolus in 

 most cases are brief and more or less inadequate. 



Through the cooperation of several foreign correspondents the 

 comparison of the American collections of the fungus with mate- 

 rial from other countries has been accomplished. Specimens of 

 Ophiobolus on wheat from three different localities in England 

 were mailed for our examination by Doctor Cotton. Three collec- 

 tions on wheat and barley from various parts of Japan were sub- 

 mitted by Doctor Miyabe, one on barley from Italy was received 

 from Professor Peglion and Mattirola, and a single collection from 

 France was sent by Professor Foex. In all cases the fungus had 

 been found associated with the typical symptoms of the take-all 

 disease, and in every instance the material was labeled 0. graminis 

 Sacc. A critical examination of the various collections, including 

 a comparative study of perithecia, asci, and spores, shows the 

 fungus to be identical in every case with the American material. 

 Furthermore, specimens collected in New York have been sub- 

 mitted to Professor McAlpine, and he writes : " I have carefully 

 examined the specimens sent by you and on comparing the my- 

 celium, perithecia, and spores have come to the conclusion that it 

 is the same fungus as that occurring on Australian wheat." There 

 can be no question, therefore, of the propriety of applying the 

 name take-all to the disease of wheat in this country. 



The fungus agrees in general with the descriptions of O. 

 graminis given by Saccardo, 4 ' 5 and with the description and fig- 

 ures of this species published by Berlese. 6 There are certain 

 minor points of difference, and for this reason the examination of 

 the original collection is desirable. However, the herbarium of 

 Saccardo has been practically unavailable since his death, the col- 



4 Saccardo, P. A. Fungi veneti novi vel critici. ser. II. Nuovo Giornale 

 Botanico Italiano 7: 307. 1875. (Rhaphidophora graminis Sacc.) 



5 Saccardo, P. A. Sylloge fungorum 2: 349. 1883. 



6 Berlese, A. N. Icones Fungorum .2 : 119-120. PI. 146, fig. 2. 1899. 



