TWO COFFEE DISEASES. 
165 
spores. Whether examined in water, spirit, or glycerine, the 
results are the same ; but in nitric acid the threads are at first 
more distinct, but gradually become absorbed into an indistinct 
mass. When the film is stained with aniline or roseine, the 
threads and spores are brightly coloured by the medium, so that 
the details may be better observed. There is, however, still 
considerable difficulty in penetrating the film with a high power, 
and the threads will not separate. 
From an examination of this fungus, with a view to the deter- 
mination of its scientific relationship, we have come to the conclu- 
sion that it has no very close affinities, that it is not only specifically 
new, but will have to be accepted as the type of a new genus.* 
Whether it is in itself an autonomous species, or a condition of 
some other and higher form, cannot be determined from present 
information ; at any rate, it is so far complete as to possess a 
vegetative and reproductive system. The globose echinulate 
bodies have all the characteristics of spores, but more than this 
cannot be affirmed until some one is fortunate enough to observe 
their germination, or all endeavours to do so should fail. 
The principal scientific question which presents itself in rela- 
tion to this fungus is its relationship and affinity. Two or three 
suggestions have already been offered on the subject ; although 
made without any microscopical examination of the plant itself, 
they are worthy of a passing notice. One suggestion is that 
the supposed fungus may be an imperfect condition of some 
lichen. It may be true that low forms, or imperfect states, of 
lichens are sometimes found on the living leaves of growing 
plants, yet the structure is hardly such as those lichenoid bodies 
assume. Considerable emphasis is sometimes placed on the 
presence of gonidia in the lichen thallus as distinguishing it 
from fungi. There is no manifestation of such bodies in the 
present instance, and it would be more satisfactory for such an 
objection if a similar authentic instance could be adduced of a 
destructive leaf-parasite which is an undoubted lichen. Another 
suggestion has been offered that it may be a low form of Hy- 
menomycetous fungi. If so, it should at least give some indi- 
cation of its relationship. As spores are undoubtedly present, 
there should also be basidia, bearing these spores in pairs or 
quaternate ; at least, there should be some evidence of an ap- 
proach to such low hymenomycetal forms as Exobasidium or 
Hymenula, Probably it was some such organism as Exobasi- 
dium which was thought of when this suggestion was made, 
but, certainly, we can observe no relationship whatever between 
them. 
* t{ Pellicularia Koleroga ” — Cooke in Grevillea, iv. p. 116. “ On the 
Affinities of Pellicular ia* in Grevillea, iv. p. 134. u Report on Diseased 
Leaves of Coffee and other Plants.” 
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