324 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
The garden and field bean is liable in some seasons to 
become quite rust-coloured in consequence of the profusion of 
spores with which the leaves and stems are covered, from the 
bean rust ( Trichobasis Fabce, Lev.), which in like manner is 
considered as the simple stage or form of the bean brand 
(Puccinia Fabce, Lk.). If the legumes are also examined, a 
few pustules will sometimes be found also on them. Beans 
thoroughly infected with this rust or brand are seldom of much 
service in either field or garden. 
Beet-root, or mangold wurzel, is another example of garden 
and field produce which is subject to a similar visitation. This 
rust often has very red spores when produced on red varieties 
of beet. During last September it ( Trichobasis Betce, Lev.) 
was sent me on the leaves of the wild beet (Beta maritima). 
All the species of Polygonum are exceedingly subject to the 
attacks of the Persicaria rust ( Trichobasis Polygonorum , B.), 
which nearly covers the leaves, till the entire plants seem to 
be smothered in Scotch snuff. If it were allowable to affirm of 
any plants that they are martyrs to parasitism, such might be 
said of the Persicarias and their allies. 
Amongst the remaining species of Trichobasis (the reader 
must pardon my using the generic name, as we have no 
equivalent), that found on the leaves of various composite 
plants is the most common (Trichobasis G ichor acearum } Lev.). 
It occurs on some thistles, on the saw-wort, dandelion, several 
species of hawkweed, and similar plants. The pustules are 
small and more diffused than in the species found on Gnicus 
arvensisj and they as often appear on the upper as on the 
lower surfaces of the leaves. 
On umbelliferous plants three species are recorded ; one 
with yellow spores (Trichobasis Petroselini, B.), another with a 
blistered habit, and brown, ovate, or oblong spores (T. TJmbella- 
tarum , Lev.), and a third with brown, obovate, or egg-shaped 
spores (T. Hercoclei , B.), which is found solely on the cow- 
parsnip. The corresponding species of Puccinia to some of 
these species of Trichobasis are known, but in other cases, 
probability, or speculation if you please, occupies the place of 
knowledge. 
Although the evidence against the retention of the species 
of Lecythea (as the genus is named) amongst Fungi as true 
species, on the ground of di-morphism, is even stronger than 
against the group just illustrated, I cannot pass them altogether 
in silence, especially in a popular treatise. Those who are 
residents in town, and yet possess their little plot of garden- 
ground, with only two or three pet roses, may have had the 
misfortune of seeing them smothered with a yellow blight. 
