SMUTS AND BUNT. 
35 
I 
yet adverted to spermogones in connection with other fungi, 
that they are peculiar to the JEcidiacei. Such is by no means 
the case. It would scarcely convey any information to our 
readers if we were now to enumerate other genera and species 
in which spermogones occur, without describing the fungi with 
which they are associated. This would be out of place, inas- 
much as we hope at a future time to treat, in detail, of these 
unnoticed genera. Let it suffice therefore that we state that 
they have been found in members of the genera, Aregma, 
Trijohragmium , Puccinia, Lecythea, Trichobasis , and TJredo , but 
they have been found much more generally in Bcestelia and 
JEcidium than in any other genus. 
As comparatively little is yet known of these bodies, a fair 
field is open to the enterprising microscopist, with time at his 
disposal, and a good store of perseverance, to win for himself 
renown in the discovery of fresh facts, and the elucidation of 
some of the mysteries which yet enshroud these interesting 
organisms. From the foregoing pages he will learn the 
direction in which his researches should tend, and he may be 
assured that every new fact is of importance when carefully 
ascertained. 
CHAPTER III. 
SMUTS AND BUNT. 
O NE of the fungal diseases of corn long and widely known 
has obtained amongst agriculturalists different appel- 
lations in different localities. In some it is the “ smut,” in 
others it is respectively “ dust-brand,” “ bunt-ear,” “ black- 
ball,” and “ chimney-sweeper,” all referring, more or less, 
to the blackish soot-like dust with which the infected and 
abortive ears are covered. This fungus does not generally 
excite so much concern amongst farmers as the other affec- 
tions to which their corn crops are liable. Perhaps it is not 
really so extensively injurious, although it entirely destroys 
every ear of corn upon which it establishes itself. Wheat, 
barley, oats, rye, and many grasses are subject to its attacks, 
and farmers have been heard to declare that they like to see 
a little of it, because its presence proves the general excellence 
of the whole crop. No one who has passed through a field 
of standing corn, after its greenness has passed away, but 
before it is fully ripe, can have failed to. notice, here and there, 
a spare, lean-looking ear, completely blackened with a coating 
