THE COTTAGE GARDE NEE AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, June 2, 1857. 135 
results. In a single instance the parasite was developed on 
the tip of the tube protruded from the germinating bunt- 
spore. It should seem then, as far as may be concluded 
from the observations noted above, which I am ready to 
Fig. 1. Spores of bunt seven days after sowing. One is still in its natural state, 
another germinating, and two crowned with a fascicle of the parasite (Fusisporium 
inosculans ). 
Fig. 2. Threads of the parasite more highly magnified, filled with globules, two of 
which are free. 
Fig. 3. Various views of the parasite and its spores, three days later, magnified. 
The spores of the parasite are lully developed, and once or twice conjugated. The 
globule-bearing thread and spore, marked a a, are more highly magnified than the 
others. 
Fig. 4. Spores of Uredo at the same date ; two with the germinating thread more 
elongated; one ruptured and empty, and another with the disc split in three 
directions. 
Fig. 5. Spores of Uredo two days later; in one the germinating thread gives off a 
branch on either side. 
Fig. 6. Spores of parasite of the same date conjugating with each other- 
Fig. 7* Portion of spore of parasite more highly magnified. 
Fig. 8. Spores of Uredo three days later ; the germinating thread elongated. The 
parasite now very scarce. 
Fig. 9. Parasite produced on the germinating thread of Uredo in an experiment 
made some days later. 
Fig. 10. First appearance of spores in the diseased germen, with the mycelium. 
Fig. 10*. One of the spores more highly magnified. 
Fig. 11. Gradual development of spores. 
Fig. 12. Three views of perfect spore, by Mr. Broome, as seen at different focal 
lengths. 
confess should have been more varied to lead to any certain 
result, that a penetration of the mycelium directly protruded 
from the spores of fungi is not always necessary for the 
development of the fungus, but it is probable that the 
gruraous contents of the spores are im¬ 
bibed by the plant which is destined to be 
the prey of the parasite, and that these, 
circulating with the juices, carry the prin¬ 
ciple of disease to every part, and under 
favourable circumstances are capable of 
reproducing the parasite. 
To establish a point of such delicacy 
would require ample leisure and very 
varied observation; but there are few sub¬ 
jects more likely to reward the observer, 
either directly or indirectly, with new and 
valuable results. 
Should it prove true, there would no 
longer be any surprise how a disease origi¬ 
nating in the leaves might be propagated 
through the stem to the tuber, or the con¬ 
trary, and Martius’ or Morren’s notions of 
contagion would no longer be regarded as 
mere reveries of fancy. It is indeed op- 
loosed to the general notion that no repro¬ 
duction takes place except by the separation 
of a cell from the parent stock; but, as 
knowledge increases, too many of our most 
favouiite and general notions are over¬ 
thrown to justify us in being diverted from 
research, through the mere stumbling- 
block of preconceived opinions. 
There is another direction to which ob¬ 
servations also may be led by the subject. 
The production of the parasite on the 
spores of bunt was constant in my experi¬ 
ments, and was repeated at Bristol and 
Clifton under the eyes of Mr. Thwaites 
and Mr. Broome, to whom I had commu¬ 
nicated bunted grains of wheat, for the 
express purpose of seeing whether the 
same circumstances would take place at a 
distance. I was at first inclined to think 
that it had something to do with the re¬ 
production of the bunt; and it is quite 
possible that in plants, as well as in the 
lower animals,there maybe an alternation 
of generations. This is, however, merely 
thrown out as a hint which may be fol¬ 
lowed out by those who have fewer avoca¬ 
tions than myself. Many anomalous ap¬ 
pearances, amongst Algse especially, seem 
to indicate something of the kind. 
It remains only to characterise the para¬ 
site on the bunt, which is certainly quite 
new to science. It would be easy to form 
a new genus, from the circumstance of the 
spores ultimately conjugating ; but as this 
does not seem connected with the repro¬ 
duction of the species, and the other cha¬ 
racters are altogether those of Fusisporium, 
I shall place it in that genus. The cha¬ 
racters then will stand as follows:— 
Fusisporium inosculans; minutissima, fas- 
ciculata, alba; sporis longissimis incurvis 
vel flexuosis multiseptatis demum conju- 
gatis. 
Hab. in sporas germinantes Uredinis 
Cariei, D.C. 
It forms extremely minute white tufts, 
visible to the naked eye only where the 
spores -on which they grow are thickly 
spread. Threads at first simple and erect; 
rather obtuse, soon forked above, and pro¬ 
ducing much elongated fusiform, multisep- 
tate, curved or fiexuous acuminate spores, 
which ultimately contain globular sporules, 
or nuclei, at length connected with one 
another by one or more short transverse 
tubes .—(Horticultural Society’s Journal.') 
