NOTES RELATING TO THE GYMNOSPO- 

 RANGIA ON MYRICA AND COMPTONIA 



B. O. Dodge and J. F. Adams 

 (With Plates 2 and 3, Containing 9 Figures) 



The only species of rust on the sweet fern heretofore reported 

 is the Cronartium that has its Peridermium stage on the pines 

 (Clinton, 1908; Orton & Adams, 1914). This rust was described 

 by Arthur (1906) from material collected at Egg Harbor, New 

 Jersey. It was quite abundant at Toms River, New Jersey, in 

 September, 191 5, where it was found by members of the party on 

 the excursion conducted by the Torrey Botanical Club during the 

 Twentieth Anniversary Celebration of the New York Botanical 

 Garden. 



During the spring and summer months of 1916, the writers, 

 Professor Harper, and others made several trips into the pine 

 barrens of New Jersey to gather data bearing on the life-histories 

 of the species of Peridermium and Gymno sporangium to be found 

 in this region. On June 14 we found that certain plants of 

 Comptonia bearing Cronartium Comptoniae were also infected 

 with some other rust whose spermogonial stage was just becoming 

 evident. As no aecidium had been reported on this host, it was 

 decided to make another visit to this spot a few weeks later to 

 obtain mature specimens. 



On July 4 we found a number of leaves and young shoots bear- 

 ing ripe aecidia, and spores were being shed quite abundantly. 

 The only leaves found to be infected June 14 were very young, 

 some of them scarcely unfolded from the bud. The hypertrophy 

 induced by the rust is not definitely limited, but is general and 

 extends along either side of the midrib beneath, making the leaf 

 quite thick and brittle. 



As only a slight yellowish discoloration accompanies the infec- 

 tion, this stage of the rust is easily overlooked. We also found 

 spermogonia on pistillate catkins, which were of a darker orange 

 color. We were unable to find aecidia on these burs later. 



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