14 Kingo Miyabe. — On the Life-history of 
The forms of Pleospora herb arum growing on onions were 
once considered by Rabenhorst, Saccardo, and many other 
authors as a distinct species from, or a variety of, that 
common fungus. ‘They are, however, at present included 
under that species without any restriction by the authors 
who have studied the genus critically, as Berlese, Winter, 
von Niessl, and some others. The examination of some of 
the authentic specimens, and also observations on the de- 
velopment of the plant, induce me strongly to accept the latter 
view. 
It has been well established that Macrosporium Sarcinula 
of Berkeley has a genetic connection with Pleospora herbarum . 
Is then Macrosporium parasiticum , Thiim., identical with M. 
Sarcinula , or is it another form of the conidial stages of this 
remarkable plant? Unfortunately, I have not been able to 
examine the original specimens of Berkeley’s species. From 
his descriptions and figures 1 of the plant, I found it rather 
hard to make a very satisfactory comparison with our plant. 
But according to the descriptions and figures of the same 
plant by Tulasne 2 , there exists such a striking resemblance 
between these two species of Macrosporium , that any one un- 
prejudiced would at once accept them as of one and the same 
species. Their identity is further confirmed by the fact, that 
both can produce on their mycelium perithecia which could 
not be distinguished one from the other. 
The only apparent difference that still remains between the 
Sarcinula and Macrosporium- forms is their habitat. The former 
has generally been considered to be entirely saprophytic ; 
while it has been proved that the latter not only thrives on 
dead vegetable matters, but can also grow on the living plant 
these spores the partitions were not fully formed. Still, they were sufficiently 
grown to exhibit the characteristics of the species (Fig. 1 5). 
Sphaeria herbarum , Pers., on Allium Cepa in Wartmann and Schenk, Schweiz. 
Krypt. n. 322, was in a far better condition. It coincides in every respect with my 
plant (Fig. 14). 
1 M. J. Berkeley, Notices of British Fungi, Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. i. No. 4, 1838, 
p. 261 ; No. 125, PI. viii. f. 10. 
2 Tulasne, l.c., p. 263, tab. xxxii. Fig. 6. 
