248 BULLETIN OF THE BUSSEY INSTITUTION. 
of the Azalea, produces the succulent mass known in some parts of the 
country as May apples, why, it is difficult to say, for in Massachusetts 
they are not found until June, and are apparently most abundant in 
the month of July. They are eaten and relished by many people who 
have the greatest dread of what they know to be fungi. This form 
has been called by Peck, Hxobasidium <Azalee, in the “ Bulletin of 
the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences,” Vol. I. No. 2, p. 63. Fuckel, 
in “Symbole Mycologice,” Appendix II. p. 8, remarks that, under 
the name of “ saft-apfel,’ the galls produced by Hxobastdium Vaecinit, 
var. Rhododendri, are eaten in Switzerland. The most eccentric form 
of Hxobasidium, described by Peck as H. Andromede (I. ¢.), is found 
on Andromeda ligustrina, the leaves of which swell to an enormous 
size, often eight or ten inches in length, and finally become hollow and 
sac-shaped. This form is not apparently known in Europe; and, if any 
of our forms are to be considered distinct species, this is the one. 
Fuckel finally concluded that his Hxobasidium Rhododendri was only 
a variety of H. Vaccinii; and that view is now adopted by the best 
mycologists. As far as the fungus is concerned, we can see no specific 
distinction in the forms found in this country; and, although the distor- 
tions vary in different cases, we must think that there is only one 
species of fungus. Of Hxobasidium Cassandre, Pk., which grows on 
Cassandra calyculata, we have seen only sterile specimens received 
from Hon. G. W. Clinton. 
PERISPORIACEZ.— An interesting fungus occurs frequently on the 
catkins of the alder near Boston, which was described as Hrysiphella 
aggregata by Peck, in the 28th Report of the “ Botanist of New York 
State.” We cannot, however, agree with Mr. Peck, that the species 
should be separated from Hrysiphe on the ground that it is destitute of 
appendages. On the contrary, the appendages are very numerous, and 
we do not understand why it is not a perfectly good Hrysiphe. It cer- 
tainly is closely related to Hrysiphe Graminis, both in the character 
of the mycelium, the light-colored appendages, in the half-immersed 
perithecia, and in the asci and spores. 
We have received from Dr. J. H. Mellichamp of Bluffton, S. C., 
numerous specimens of Meliola amphitricha, which seems to be as 
common and to inhabit as many different plants as Phyllactinia guttula 
in our region. The mycelium of this species was distributed by Curtis 
under the name of Glenospora meliordes. 
