376 PROCEEDINGS : BOSTON SOCIETY NATURAL HISTORY. 
considerable numbers on the surface of the anthers. These conidia 
are produced from short fertile hyphae that barely project beyond 
the surface and are so placed that they might easily be carried by 
insects in the same way as are pollen grains. They have been 
found adhering to the stigmas and at the base of the floral parts 
and possibly upon germinating may produce infection at these 
places, though a single experiment, where the conidia were so 
placed on healthy blossoms, was not successful in this respect. 
When placed in water the conidia germinated readily, sending out 
a septate slightly branched germ tube of greater or less extent. 
These conidia were first observed in the smutted flowers in Illinois 
several years ago and were found each season. Later they were 
observed in Connecticut and have been found in a number of exsic- 
cati specimens. The mycelium is perennial in the host, apparently, 
as it has been found in the perennial basal parts as well as in the 
nodes of the stem. The spores have somewhat the aspect of a 
Tilletia. Their germination has never been reported, though the 
writer has tried several times to germinate them. Literature: 181. 
* * * 1 Spores lilac to purple, reticulate. 
Ustilago vinosa (Berk.) Tul. 
Uredo vinosa Berk., in Hit. 
Ustilago vinosa Tul., Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., in, 7: 96. 1847. 
Sori in the essential organs, forming purplish dusty spore masses 
usually enwrapped as a somewhat swollen body by the perianth; 
spores very pale violet, ovoid to spherical or occasionally slightly 
irregular, thick walled, ridged with very small reticulations (1 p or 
less in diameter), chiefly 7-10 p in length. 
Host: Oxyria digyna , Calif., Wash.; Greenland. 
As described by European botanists the spores are said to be 
provided with warts when in fact European as well as American 
specimens are distinctly reticulated. The very thick wall is due to 
the ridges not extending far beyond the circumference, thus adding 
their thickness to it. The species is closely related to Ustilago vio- 
lacea , and like it is usually found in the cooler regions. The germi¬ 
nation has been described by Brefeld : 23. 
