ONE SHILLING. 
 
 B777>n 
 
 MICRO-FUNGI: 
 
 V/HEN AND WHERE TO FIND 
 THEM. 
 
 BY THOMAS BRITTAIN, 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE MANCHESTER MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Manchester : 
 
 Abel Heywood & Son, 5« & 58, Oldham Street. 
 London : Simpkin, Marshall & Co. 
 
R. HALSTED WARD. 
 
 
OF THE 
 
 U N I VERS ITY 
 
 ILU NJHS 
 
 B777m^ 
 
 *o 
 
 ^^ATURftl ^ — 
 
 history 
 
MICEO-FUNGI 
 
 WHEN AND WHERE TO FIND 
 THEM. 
 
 BY 
 
 THOMAS BRITTAI N, 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE MANCHESTER MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Manchester : 
 
 Abel Heywood & Son, 56 & 58, Oldham Street. 
 London : 
 
 Stmpktn, Marshall, & Co., Stationers’ Hall Court 
 1882. 
 

j! Nov 41 
 
 /3 9 7 7 'W. 
 
 
 lOTRODUOTIOK 
 
 ic 
 
 p 
 
 5r 
 
 The writer of this little book on micro-fungi has been 
 induced to undertake the task of preparing it as a first 
 lesson to the beginner who desires to enter upon the 
 delightful study. What may be called the dry and tech- 
 ^nical p)arts of the science have been omitted as far as 
 y possible. The varied attractions and endless sources of 
 j pleasure which Nature prepares for the student, from 
 5month to month, have been presented before him (so far 
 ^as the writer was able) to tempt him onwards into a 
 ^ field of investigation where his industry cannot well 
 ^^^ail of procuring for him a reward of innocent and 
 ^^lasting enjoyment. The writer has felt, as doubtless 
 7it thousands of others have felt, the difiiculty of the study 
 ^ as a beginner, and in the preparation of this book he 
 j ^ has been most anxious to do away, as far as possible. 
 
with such difficulties, and lead the student on through 
 pleasant pastures to higher and more rugged ground^ 
 when other teachers may take the student in hand, and 
 conduct him over the more difficult country, where he 
 will find harder work, but where the pleasure will not 
 be the less. 
 
 All those who have made this study their own will 
 at once acknowledge that the teacher then required for 
 the student is Dr. Cooke, whose admirable book, Piusty 
 Smut, Mildew, and Mould, is so well-known and highly 
 appreciated by the scientific botanist. Under the tutor- 
 ship of this book the learner may soon make rapid 
 progress in the technical and scientific portions of the 
 subject. A wider field of investigation will be opened 
 before him, and if in his journey over it he now and 
 then comes upon difficult ground, he will not be dis- 
 heartened, for by this time he will be well able to 
 contend against the impediment, and go on his way 
 rejoicing. A 
 
 Now a few words as to the origin of this little book:\^ i 
 it may truly be said to be purely accidental, or the | 
 result of unexpected circumstances. When Mr. George 
 E. Davis launched out his useful monthly periodical. 
 The Northern Microscopist, at the beginning of the year 
 1881, it occurred to me that I should like to take ad- 
 
V. 
 
 vantage of the periodical, by permission of the editor, 
 and insert a few hints from time to time as to the more 
 easily to be found leaf-fungi in the neighbourhood of 
 Manchester. At first the idea had reference only to the 
 members of the Manchester Microscopical Society. The 
 approbation which these local notes received induced 
 me to enlarge them, and take in a gradually widening 
 radius, until I conceived the notion of making them 
 applicable to the country at large. When my monthly 
 notes for the year were complete, the editor of the 
 Journal, and other students of microscopy, urged me to 
 publish what I had written, in a small volume as a 
 guide to the young student ; and ultimately, after some 
 hesitation, I consented to do so. I have had to make 
 considerable additions and alterations, so as to make the 
 work of general application. The localities of my dis- 
 coveries, or finds, as they are usually tdrmed, whether 
 local or otherwise, 1 have thought it well to retain, and 
 I have added others of distant places for the benefit of 
 
 the general reader. I find the division of the matter 
 
 / 
 
 into months generally approved, although it is not 
 strictly natural. It has the merit, however, of sim- 
 plicity, and comes sufficiently near to the limits which 
 nature has established to satisfy the wants of the 
 younger student. I have therefore retained the monthly 
 
VI. 
 
 division as the best mode of publication. As to the 
 scientific idea, if I had thought it desirable, it would 
 have been an easy matter to have added scientific names 
 and structure, but this I have carefully avoided, as my 
 wish from the first has been to make what I wish to be 
 accepted as the ABC book of microscopic fungi. Had 
 I presumed to take a higher range, the cost of the book 
 must have been greater, and the object I have had in 
 view completely frustrated. 
 
 Now a few words as to collecting specimens : This 
 is the first step to be taken, and some of my young 
 friends complainingly say it is most difficult. Doubtless 
 a beginner will frequently look in the most unlikely 
 places, and finding nothing, return home disappointed. 
 A few failures of this kind will generally be valuable 
 lessons, which will indicate the means of success. If he 
 be in earnest, he cannot but succeed sooner or later, and 
 every new discovery will become a step in the ladder 
 upwards. Then he may go on in his hunting expedi- 
 tions, and it will soon become a strange thing if ever he 
 returns home unrewarded. The reader, in his rambles, 
 should provide himself with a tin vasculum, which he 
 can carry in his pocket, and a book of about the octavo 
 size, which he should also be able to carry in a pocket, 
 and thus leave his hands at liberty. With these, and a 
 
Vll. 
 
 common strong pocket knife, he will be fully equipped 
 for his ramble. If the weather be doubtful, a water- 
 proof carried over the shoulder by a strap may be found 
 useful. As a general rule it is as well that the micro - 
 fungi as collected should be at once placed in the vascu- 
 lum, so as to secure for them a certain amount of 
 moisture until they can be examined at home, or laid 
 out under pressure to dry, as may be desired. In many 
 cases, especially of leaf fungi, it is desirable to select out 
 at once the best specimens, and carefully place them in 
 the book with sufficient pressure to keep them perfectly 
 flat, until you have time to remove them into blotting 
 paper after your return from your ramble. The 
 specimens you desire to retain permanently should be 
 carefully laid out on blotting paper, under moderate 
 pressure, and the paper should be changed every two or 
 three days, for about arfortnight, when they can hardly 
 fail of being perfectly dry. They are then ready for 
 mounting as opaque objects. In my own herbarum I 
 have books of such objects. The size of the book is a 
 small octavo, one volume being filled with clustercups. 
 These are numbered after Dr. Cook’s handbook, and I 
 would recommend the student to adopt the same system . 
 In all my gatherings I have found great advantage in 
 the plan. If the student desires to examine a puccinia, 
 
Vlll. 
 
 or any other smut which he may find, let him first place 
 a drop of clean water on the centre of a glass slide, and 
 then with the point of a knife or a needle take a small 
 portion of the smut, and place it in the water, covering 
 it with thin glass. If the object be then placed under 
 the lens of the microscope, he will at once be able to 
 see its structure. Should he desire to mount the smut 
 as a permanent object, let him remove the thin cover, 
 and allow the drop of water with the object in it to dry, 
 when it will adhere to the glass, and may then be 
 mounted in Balsam Damar, or any other media, at the 
 discretion of the student. When the object will allow 
 of being mounted in balsam without injury, I prefer to 
 use it, but in delicate vegetable tissues, I find it neces- 
 sary to use other transparent fluids. This subject of 
 mounting is, however, too long for me to enter upon it 
 here. Fortunately there are ch^Bap pamphlets upon the 
 subject within the reach of the student, and to them I 
 must refer him. 
 
 6, Claremont Street, 
 Nelson Street, 
 
 Manchester. 
 
 THOS. BBITTAIN. 
 
 April, 1882. 
 
JAITUAEY. 
 
 irF there be any one branch of botanical study more 
 (1| likely than another to attract the special attention 
 of the student of microscopy, it is the study of the 
 minute fungi. Wherever his home may be, they 
 come around him from month to month on all sorts of 
 decaying or dead organisms — animal and vegetable. 
 They float in the ponds and ditches, and their invisible 
 vspores are carried through the atmosphere in every 
 possible direction, even along our streets and into our 
 dwellings, especially our cellars. Most of these 
 decompose for want of the required nidus, but countless 
 thousands are developed into active vitality, and bring 
 into existence most beautiful organisms. Now in this 
 dead time of winter we have them in all damp places 
 around our homes, often on the bread we eat and in the 
 water we drink, on our cheese, and if we eat the tinned 
 meats our cousins send us from Australia we may find 
 the fungus there, in the shape of a hateful white patch. 
 
10 
 
 If we scan with careful eye our window panes we may 
 find house flies who have sought out quiet corners 
 where they might die, and there upon their dead remains 
 we find a mass of minute white threads which are the 
 filaments of a well-known and interesting fungus. 
 Amongst what may be called the domestic fungi, we 
 have that still worse family pest the ring-worm ; no 
 worm or any other animal, but a bona-fide plant, well- 
 known and identified. A scientific friend of mine 
 suffered some years ago from the infliction of this 
 so-called ring-worm in his beard. He caught and 
 tested the structure of the unwelcome visitor, and sent 
 me specimens of its organism, including the spores. 
 My friend, Mr. Tozer, the head of the fire department 
 of our Manchester Corporation, a year or two ago sent 
 me specimens of the ring- worm which had got upon 
 many of his horses, and was breaking up the hairs into 
 strange fractions of diverging fibres. Doubtless many of 
 the diseases we suffer from have their origin in fungoid life, 
 as yet only suspected, but may some day be known and 
 eradicated. Already science has done much in this 
 direction, but a wide field still remains to be investigated. 
 The Sarcina veyitriculi, a so-called fungus when I began 
 microscopic study, but now looked upon as a Confervoid 
 Alga, has played sad havoc with the human stomach. 
 It is but recently that this little vegetable monster has 
 been known, and even now it is a difficulty and a puzzle 
 to the medical student. So during all the centuries of 
 
11 
 
 man’s existence it has been doing its deadly work in the 
 dark, disordering his vital functions, and doubtless 
 abbreviatiug his span of life. 
 
 I remember a certain shoemaker in Sheffield, who 
 some 30 years ago, was a sufferer from this pest un- 
 knowingly for a considerable period, and who was 
 greatly reduced from being a very stout man to pitiful 
 thinness, when a micro scopist and a personal friend 
 examined the fluid the shoemaker vomited, in which he 
 at once detected the Sarcina, and he told the sufferer 
 that he had got the Sarcina ventriciili in his stomach. 
 The poor fellow was horrified, thinking it must be some 
 huge monster. Explanation followed, and the proper 
 medicine soon destroyed the unwelcome guest. 
 
 From what I have said it will be seen that the study 
 of the minute fungi is not only a pleasant occupation, 
 and a matter of general' scientific interest, but it is in a 
 certain sense a duty we are hound to fulfil in our own 
 interest, and for our personal protection and the public 
 good. Before leaving this department of study let me 
 refer to the Ergot of Eye, a minute fungus of the genus 
 Claviceps. This taken in household bread has been 
 known to produce the most fearful results, upon the 
 details of which it is not desirable that I should dwell. 
 
 It is not for the medical student, but rather for what 
 may be called the botanical student, that I write, that I 
 may aid him in those studies which will be to him a 
 pleasure rather than a profession. About this time of 
 
12 
 
 the year, with the prospect of spring before him, the 
 student will be thinking of the leaf fungi, which are not 
 yet nor can they come for some two or three months, 
 but numerous others are to be found in woods and 
 meadows, ^nd elsewhere in places innumerable. I hope 
 to have an opportunity next month of calling the 
 attention of the student to some of these, in the mean- 
 time I may not inappropriately conclude by quoting the 
 well-known inscription on the tomb of Sir Christopher 
 Wren, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, “ Si monumen- 
 tum quaeris circumspice,'' for truly monuments of 
 nature’s handy work are all around him. 
 
 In concluding this paper for January it may be well 
 to allude more specifically to some of the domestic pests 
 which I referred to above. The too common one on 
 bread is known as Ascophora mucedo, and will be 
 familiar to every student of microscopy. This is the 
 only species we have of that genus. Then we have the 
 Mucors, of which many species are well-known. Mucor 
 mucedo on fruit, preserves, &c. M, clavatus on decayed 
 fruit, as also Mucor amethysteus, which is the especial 
 fungus of rotting pears. Then we have Mucor caninics, 
 of the dung of cats and dogs, and numerous others, which 
 I must leave to another occasion, through space at my 
 command being fully occupied. 
 
FEBRUAEY. 
 
 f BOUT this time when a large proportion of the 
 potatoes and cabbages, and other vegetable 
 wares of the market gardener have been sent 
 to our large towns tor sale, the unsaleable roots 
 and stalks are scattered about in the fields or around 
 the home of the grower. Now these well deserve the 
 attention of the microscopist, for such organisms 
 when in a state of decay, and especially after wet 
 weather, are often more or less infested with very 
 interesting fungi. One of them, Torula herharum, I 
 have met with in large quantity on decaying fibrous 
 rootlets of potatoes in the neighbourhood of Manchester 
 and elsewhere, as also on the stalk of cabbage. This 
 fungus assumes the form of a black powder bursting 
 through the cuticle of the plant. The atoms of powder 
 or rather spores, for such they are, adhere together and 
 form strings. Decayed stems of umbelliferous plants 
 are frequently infested with this same Torula. Dead 
 
14 
 
 branches of willow often develope another species, 
 Torula stilbospora, and indeed almost all the dead 
 rotten sticks that may he found in a forest are 
 liable to be infested with one or more species of 
 Torula. 
 
 It is too soon in the year to look out for leaf-fungi, 
 but there is even now one such which grows upon the 
 * leaves of camellia. The first indications of the fungus 
 will be found in the existence of a roundish brown 
 patch on the leaf, which by degrees becomes white, 
 and then extremely minute black spots are quickly 
 developed upon it. These when broken up by pressure 
 in water are found to be filled with very small sporidia, 
 made up of about three cells and decorated with very 
 singular appendages. The name of this curious fungus 
 is Pestalozzia guepii. Dr. Cooke mentions others on 
 the Cypress and on chips. These I have not met with, 
 but I have found one not referred to by him on various 
 pitcher plants, and especially on Sarrocenia flava. The 
 queer appendages connected with this fungus are more 
 distinctly seen than are those upon the camellia leaf — 
 P. guepii. One of the most interesting micro-fungi to 
 be met with during the winter is Aster osporium Hoff- 
 manni. It must be looked for upon dead twigs of 
 beech, and is said to be common, but I have not 
 frequently met with it. The spores are made up of 
 three or four compound cells, artistically arranged, and 
 if the student succeed in obtaining a good slide of 
 
15 
 
 them he will realize a large amount of pleasure in the 
 examination of it. 
 
 -After a farmer has used straw for bedding his cattle, 
 he will frequently throw it in heaps about the home- 
 stead, and it will lie there until it is completely saturated 
 with rain water. I have often met with it in this 
 condition, and whenever I have I have in every instance 
 met with an interesting fungus known as Chatomium 
 elatum^ or “ Straw Bristle-mould,” as it is called. This 
 is well worthy the search of the student, and not 
 difficult to find , indeed it is one of the commonest of 
 the microscopic fungi. 
 
 There is an interesting fungus on onion peel, 
 Asjjergillus nigrum, which is also found upon other 
 organic tissues ; but I have met with it in the most 
 perfect state on Portugal onions ; sometimes on the 
 outward layers of the covering, and not unfrequently on 
 the inner layers of the onion itself. The student will 
 not have much difficulty in meeting with this object, 
 for its intense blackness betrays it, and it is well worthy 
 of his attention. There are other species of Aspergillus 
 on damp paper, on rabbits’ dung and other organisms, 
 but it must suffice for me to have indicated the subject 
 generally. 
 
 Upon the dead leaves of trees now lying on the 
 ground in a state of decay numerous small fungi may 
 be met with, amongst them the Fusidiums are pretty 
 plentiful and well deserving of examination. They are 
 
16 
 
 of various colours, white, yellow, or grey. Fusidium 
 jiavo.virens, the yellow variety, I found on oak leaves in 
 plenty long ago. The white variety, Fusidium alburn^ 
 may be found in almost any locality where the oak 
 itself grows. There is another interesting fungus which 
 infests a large number of the dead leaves which now 
 cover the ground in the woods, and is most distinctly 
 visible as a white patch. It is Cylindrium septatum 
 and is when seen under a or J inch lens a most 
 interesting object. Upon wood far gone in a state of 
 decay, I frequently meet with micro-fungi of interest. 
 jFgerita Candida I have found frequently in Hough 
 End Clough, which is within the reach of the smoke of 
 Manchester. On examination with the microscope it is 
 found to consist of white round balls, and is well worthy 
 of a place in any cabinet. The various species which I 
 have referred to are a selection from an innumerable 
 host which have been brought into existence since the 
 winter came upon us, and are of great interest to the 
 scientific student. Being unable to name all, I have 
 preferred to refer to such as may be most easily 
 identified by the young beginner in this branch of study. 
 
MAEOH. 
 
 ‘N the paper for last month I referred to the deeply 
 interesting microscopic fungus Pestalozzia Giiepii, 
 with its strange appendages, and I now take the 
 opportunity of informing the readers that this 
 fungus may be found all the year round when the 
 surrounding conditions of the camellia are favourable 
 to its development. In one conservatory close to 
 Manchester, I could at any time in bygone days if I 
 required a specimen, at once procure it, and it must be 
 an unusually healthy conservatory where the fungus is 
 never developed. Now the spot referred to above is 
 covered with houses, and I have to go farther away if I 
 require specimens. The appendages are an excellent 
 test as to the defining powers of a lens. In my earlier 
 efforts in the examination of the fungus I was greatly 
 puzzled and quite unsuccessful in my attempt to solve 
 the difficulty. I employed a quarter inch, not a bad one 
 by any means, but it had not the defining power neces- 
 
 B 
 
18 
 
 sary to the case. I then got a sixth, when with 
 careful manipulation of the light I succeeded in ob- 
 taining a perfect picture of the wings (for such they 
 are) of this obscure, but very beautiful and very minute 
 fungus. 
 
 The rains of autumn and winter, with the gradually 
 decreasing temperature, bring before us numerous 
 Sphceriacei, to some of which I called the attention of 
 the reader last month. About six hundred species of 
 this interesting family may now be met with all 
 around, but more especially in woods and woody 
 districts. Broken dead sticks and rotten wood in all 
 possible conditions of decay form the soil or nidus 
 upon which they prefer to vegetate. In such districts 
 and under such conditions the reader will have no 
 difficulty in finding them. I have met with various 
 species of them on logs of wood lying on the road side, 
 and in fields, also on dead tree roots, some of them are 
 as rare as they are beautiful. Sphcoria Pulvis-pyrius, or 
 Gunpowder SplicBria is one of these, the latter name 
 conveying an excellent description of the fungus with its 
 powdery black atoms. Sphceria pulveracea or dust-like 
 SphcEria is another having a similar appearance. Then 
 there is Sphceria spermoides, having also a somewhat 
 similar appearance, and others too numerous to mention. 
 Some of the species are larger and more conspicuous, 
 having the appearance of small cannon balls, but they 
 assume various shapes and the larger proportion of them 
 
19 
 
 are black. On the dead stems of umbelliferous plants 
 Sphceria vilis may now be found in woods in great plenty, 
 and on dead rose stems Spharia hypotephra ; indeed, so 
 numerous are the members of this family that it is 
 difficult for the student not to find them. Two of the 
 most plentiful and certainly two of the most interesting 
 are found upon the dead stems of the common nettle 
 and the dead stems of the potatoe plant, the former is 
 SphcEvia itrtic(E, the latter Spliceria Jierharem, this is 
 found also on other dead stems and is very common. 
 One of the most conspicuous members of this large family 
 is Xylaria hypoxylon, it grows in tufts and is commonly 
 known as candle-snuff fungus, from the circumstances 
 of the top of the fungus being covered with a white 
 powder, having the appearance of the burnt ashes of 
 candle-wick. The supposed candle is a black upright 
 fungoid stalk, of usually from half an inch to two or 
 three inches in height, and a thickness of a leather shoe 
 string. The fungus is not difficult to find. Tree stumps 
 rotting in the ground, in hedges or woods, are annually 
 infested with it. The white powder is found under 
 microscopic examination to be a mass of minute 
 organisms which the young student may suppose to be 
 spores, but they are known as Conidea, and the true 
 spores are to be found in Asci, which are in the black 
 portion of the fungus. Amongst the family I am now 
 speaking of, the Sphcsriacei, of which Dr. Cooke, in his 
 valuable hand-book, gives a list of about six hundred 
 
20 
 
 species, the Peziza occupy an interesting position. Many 
 of them are comparatively large while others are 
 extremely minute, yet they all partake of common 
 characteristics and many of them are extremely beauti- 
 ful in colour. Some are black, others white, but the gay 
 bright colours are most prevalent, such as red, orange, 
 yellow, brown, and purple, in all imaginable shades and 
 degrees of beauty. 
 
 Peziza Calycina, I have frequently found on dead 
 fir branches in Cheshire and Lancashire, and it may be 
 found in any county in England. It is of a bright 
 orange colour, and the fruit assumes the form of a small 
 button. Sections of this fungus show the sporidia in 
 asci very distinctly, and are deserving a place in any 
 microscopic cabinet. Peziza Coccinea and Peziza 
 rutilans are both developed upon moss in damp 
 localities. Their bright red colour makes them very 
 conspicuous, although they are not large, these and 
 numerous others are equally worthy of the attention of 
 the student. There are other gaily coloured small fungi 
 growing from the ground amongst dead leaves, or in 
 sheltered places chiefly in woods, similar in thickness 
 and shape to the candle- snufi* fungus, but consisting of 
 one solitary organism to which I desire to refer. These 
 vary in colour, red, yellow, and white, with intermediate 
 shades. The most interesting of this group, Torruhia 
 as they are called, grow from the dead bodies of the larva 
 of insects, as the student will see on digging up the 
 
21 
 
 fungus and examining what might he supposed to be its 
 root. I remember the great pleasure I had in my first 
 find of one of these strange plants. It was in Agecroft 
 wood, near Manchester, some years ago, when its glaring 
 colour amongst dead leaves betrayed it. The species 
 I found was Torruhia gracilis, and was about an inch in 
 height and rounded towards the top. One species 
 Torruhia entomorrhizahdi^ a rounded nob at the top, and 
 there is one species where the fungus assumes the form 
 of a tuft, this is Torruhia militaris. How it is that 
 these fungi will only live upon the dead bodies of the 
 larva of insects is a mystery which I will not attempt 
 to solve. Numerous other similar frantic fancies in the 
 vegetable kingdom might be given, but the subject is 
 outside of my present intention. 
 
 In dealing with this numerous family of Sphmriacei, 
 1 have endeavoured to call the attention of the reader to 
 such as may be most easily found and recognised, and 
 thus furnish him with a general idea of their habits and 
 structure, and what to look for. To do more than that 
 was an impossibility in the space at my command. Let 
 him become familiar with but the few which I have 
 imperfectly indicated, and he will become influenced by 
 an increased desire to know more, and then he may take 
 advantage of the many excellent works which exist on 
 the subject. 
 
 The leaf-fungi come pretty largely to the front in 
 next month, and I have only once been so fortunate as 
 
22 
 
 to meet with a specimen so early as March. This 
 occurred when rambling near Bangor in Ireland, in 1881,. 
 when I found the clustercups on Caltha Palustris or 
 Marsh Marigold, JEcidium calthoe in excellent condition. 
 Others may occasionally find leaf-fungi thus early, such 
 cases may I think be looked upon as exceptions to the 
 rule. 
 
APEIL. 
 
 ¥ E now enter upon the season of the year when 
 buds prepare to burst forth into full leaf, and 
 the vegetable kingdom generally prepares to put 
 on its summer garb. The trees are as yet 
 mostly bare, for their fully developed leaves have not yet 
 opened ; but amongst the humble plants whose home is 
 upon the somewhat warmer earth, the leaves are open 
 and the flowers of the spring time now appear to claim 
 the attention of the field naturalist as he takes his 
 ramble in the meadows. Now the student of microscopic 
 botany will feel inclined to overlook the dead sticks of 
 the woods, which have for several months had his 
 attention, and look out for the living leaves of the plants 
 which promise to provide for him a pleasant study in the 
 leaf-fungi which are in preparation. Of these plants of 
 the early spring-time, the one that I have in all cases 
 found to be the first infected with leaf-fungus is the 
 Ranunculus Ficaria or Lesser celandine, known better in 
 
Lancashire and Cheshire as the Pile- wort, The butter- 
 cup-like flower of this plant makes it very conspicuous, 
 and it cannot well be overlooked. Upon the leaves of it 
 the first and one of the most beautiful clustercups of 
 the year now makes its appearance. When mature it is 
 of a bright yellow or orange colour, which contrasts 
 strikiugly with the green of the leaf, and is thus easily 
 recognised. It belongs to a large family, the jEcidiacH, 
 of which we shall have frequently to speak in the comitg 
 months. This species is known as jEcidium ranunm- 
 lacearum, and assumes the form of a small cup, hence ills 
 common name. This cup in its perfect condition i^ 
 filled with minute spores of the colour of the cup itself; 
 A number of the cups are usually clustered together, 
 and form a striking patch on the leaf, varying in size, 
 but commonly about the size of a small pea. This fungus 
 when carefully dried and mounted, as an opaque object 
 for the microscope, is exceedingly beautiful and worthy 
 of an honourable position in any cabinet. This first 
 spring leaf-fungus I have frequently found in various 
 districts of England and Ireland, and every spring 
 during many years, when I have cared to look for it, in 
 the Cheshire valleys, not far away from Manchester, and 
 in great quantity near the village of Gatley, among the 
 meadows known as the Cars. 
 
 The second fungus of the spring, so far as my own 
 experience is concerned, is also to be found upon the 
 leaves of this same plant, the Pile-wort. It assumes the 
 
25 
 
 form of a small black patch, and is a smut, to use the 
 common name by which it is known. The scientific 
 name is JJromyces ficaria. There are also other members 
 of this family of which we shall have to speak as the 
 summer advances. The powdery smut which forms the 
 black patch, on examination with a good microscope, is 
 found to consist of a countless number of cells of extreme 
 minuteness. These are too small to be well examined 
 as opaque objects, but are capable of being preserved as 
 microscopic objects of interest if mounted in balsam, 
 damar, or gelatine. If the student desires to examine 
 them only, not caring to preserve them, water is the 
 best fluid to use. 
 
 Besides the above, which I have so frequently met 
 with, I have a specimen of clustercups in my cabinet 
 from Dawlish in Devonshire, which is in fair condition, 
 sent to me by a friend. It is Mcidium hunii, or the • 
 Pignut clustercup.” It is not upon the Pignut, 
 however, but upon Buniam hulbocastanum, and was 
 found as early as April. It may be well to mention that 
 I have the same species of fungus on the true Pignut 
 plant, Cai'um hulbocastanum, which I found in North 
 Wales, May, 1872 ; and again the same fungus which I 
 met with in July of last year at Bootle, in the Lake 
 District, and this time it was on another plant, 
 Pimjpernella saxifraga. It will be well to notice the 
 various species of micro-fungi which are prominent in 
 the month ; but it must be remembered there are but 
 
26 
 
 few if any of them who limit their appearance to any 
 exact period : therefore all classification as to time must 
 not be accepted as strictly accurate. It may be well for 
 the student also to notice that although I speak of the 
 same fungus growing upon the three completely distinct 
 plants, this habit of growth must not be understood as 
 usual, for on the contrary, it is rather the rule for fungi 
 to accept one special plant as their home, and the name 
 of the parasite usually follows in some form the name 
 of the plant upon which it grows. I have another 
 specimen of fungus, Puccinia heraclei, which has been 
 met with thus early in the year in the south of England. 
 It infests the Hog weed or Cow Parsnip, Heracleum 
 Sphondyliim, There is a probability that other leaf 
 fungi may occasionally be developed thus early in the 
 spring of the year in warm sheltered places and under 
 * other favourable conditions. 
 
MAY. 
 
 f S we enter upon the month of May we find leaf- 
 fungi come to the front in great numbers, 
 especially the clustercups. The few named for 
 April are still to he found in most cases, and if 
 the season be a backward one, they will be now in better 
 condition than they were in that month. The beautiful 
 white clustercup, ^ciclium leucospirmum, is one of the 
 first which makes its appearance in May, and is very 
 common in some special districts ; but I have only met 
 with it in the Lake District and in Wales. It is only to 
 be found upon the leaf of the wood anemone, A^iemone 
 neynorosa. It is easily recognised. Another of the early 
 ones is the clustercup JEcidium allii, on the leaf of the 
 garlic. This I believe to be very rare, for it cost me 
 nearly twenty years’ search before I was fortunate 
 enough to find it when I was rambling on the shores of 
 Windermere Lake, in May, 1877. The nettle clustercup, 
 
 AEcidiiim urtica, is more common, but is still rare in 
 
28 
 
 many districts. I have met with it in the Bakewell 
 Valley, in North Wales, and in various localities of the 
 Lake District, as also in unusually fine condition in 
 Sherwood Forest. Lapsana communis is a very common 
 plant, and becomes the frequent home of one of the May 
 clustercups JEcidium compositanim—YSiviety, Lapsana, 
 This I have found near Manchester whenever I have 
 cared to look for it, and I doubt not it will be equally 
 common elsewhere. I have another specimen of the 
 compositarum clustercups found in May, but this I have 
 never been able to meet with, it is Mcidiuju compostarum 
 — variety, JacohcB, and is upon the common ragwort. 
 It was gathered by a scientific friend near to Lynn, in 
 Norfolk. 
 
 Another comparatively common cluster cup which 
 may be found this month is the one on the field violet 
 ^Lcidium violm. The probability is that wherever the 
 botanist meets with a bank of these favourite plants, and 
 has any strong desire to find the fungus, he can hardly 
 fail to succeed in doing so. It would weary my reader 
 where I to enumerate the many places where I have met 
 with this very beautiful parasite, when in good 
 condition it is one of the best specimens of the very 
 interesting family to which it belongs. 
 
 I think it is well that I should put upon record, for 
 the information of the reader, the names of a few other 
 clustercups which I have in my collection, which I have 
 not been able to find, but are the contributions of friends. 
 
29 
 
 I look upon them as rare, but it is not impossible they 
 may be, under special circumstances and under 
 favourable conditions, comparatively plentiful. They 
 were all found during this month. They are as follows : 
 Mcidium ari^ or Wake -robin clustercup, on Drummacu- 
 latum; j^cidium geranii, Cranesbill clustercups, on 
 Geranium pratense ; and j^cidium crassum, Buckthorn 
 clustercups. I have also a specimen of the rare cluster- 
 cups on Caltha Palustris, JEcidiuyn Calthm, sent 
 from Scotland in May, 1874. 
 
 Now, a so-called rust may be found upon the leaves 
 of numerous plants. The fungi which assume this 
 common name of rust are extremely numerous, and they 
 are of all shades of colour, from nearly black, through 
 brown and yellow to orange. The genus Trichobasis is 
 of the rusty sort most common and conspicuous, and 
 now the reader in his country rambles may readily find 
 various specimens of it, if he be in a favourable district, 
 away from a smoky atmosphere. Above we spoke of the 
 clustercups on the Geranium pratense, we have also the 
 Trichobasis on the same plant, which I have gathered in 
 this month, and it will linger on for several months to 
 come, as is proved by the fact that I have specimens 
 gathered as late as September. Trichobasis rubego-vera, 
 also rust, may now be found on grass, and is easily 
 seen in consequence of its bright colour, as it gradually 
 bursts the cuticle of the plant, and thus exposes itself to 
 the passing traveller. The spores which form the chief 
 
30 
 
 mass of the plant are mostly simple rounded cells without 
 a peduncle attached, and are thus easily distinguished 
 from the genus Uromyces which possesses such an ap- 
 pendage of considerable length, as is at once demonstrated 
 when the fungus is tested by microscopic examination. 
 One of the commonest of these rusts is Trichohasis 
 heraclei, of a bright orange colour, and grows upon 
 numerous plants, and is but the early condition of a 
 fuller developed organism known as Puccinia heraclei. 
 It should be borne in mind that a large proportion of the 
 rusts now beginning to make their appearance are not in 
 any sense perfect fungi, but merely the early condition 
 of those which will appear when the conditions of their 
 development shall be perfected. Of various of these 
 complicated organisms I shall have to speak hereafter, 
 but I refer to the strange fact now, in order to give the 
 student an idea of the marvellous world of interest he 
 has to deal with. 
 
 Another genus of the rusts also become plentiful in 
 this month, and are known as Uredo, They infest a 
 considerable number of plants, and like other rusts are 
 not difficult to meet with. The spores are yellowish and 
 vary in shade, and the simple cells of which they are 
 composed are more irregular in form than the Uromyces 
 or Trichohasis, and in no condition of their existence 
 have they a peduncular attachment. During the month 
 I have met with the fungi of this genus frequently in 
 various parts of the country, but it is not desirable that 
 
31 
 
 I should even attempt to make out a list of the species 
 which he should particularly look for, he cannot get 
 wrong in gathering specimens, although he may for a 
 time have a difficulty in naming them. There 
 is, however, another genus of these rusts which come 
 forth largely in May, and cannot be overlooked, the 
 name of which is Lecythea, The general appearance of 
 the various species which make up the genus is very 
 similar to that of the other rusts of which I have spoken, 
 and the student will only be able to make out the 
 distinction on careful microscopic examination. The 
 varying characteristics of the spores in this instance are 
 such as to make it difficult to convey the true idea to the 
 reader, and it appears to me that I cannot do better than 
 copy the description given by Dr. Cooke in his admirable 
 Hand Book. It runs thus : “ Stroma surrounded or 
 sprinkled with elongated abortive spores. Spores free, 
 invested with their cell, or concatenate.” I will now 
 conclude this portion of my notes for May by referring 
 to a few of the species which the reader may expect 
 to meet with in his rambles at this season. 
 
 Lecythea Boscb, Koserust, on leaves and stem of roses. 
 Lecythea Poterii, Burnetrust, on Poterium sanquisorha and 
 other plants. Lecythea saliceti, common Willow rust, 
 although considered an autumn rust, I have met with in 
 the present month. 
 
 Some of the Puccinicei may now be found, and are the 
 advanced species of a large army of followers, of which 
 
32 
 
 I must speak more fully afterwards, and I think I may 
 best close my paper for the month by naming a few I 
 have met with in my May rambles. Pucchiia umbellife- 
 rarum I have found during the month, I think I may say 
 hundreds of times, for it is very common on the pignut 
 plant. I have found it also on other umbelliferous plants. 
 The Puccinia cBgopodii on Goutweed, although looked 
 upon as rare is very common in the Cheshire valleys, 
 within about six miles from Manchester, and I meet with 
 it every spring, and not unfrequently far into the 
 summer. There are others of the Puccinmi which I 
 have but once met with in this month, and I will close 
 this paper by a list of them for the readers’ information. 
 Puccinia chrysosplenii, Golden Saxifrage brand ; Puccinia 
 vincm, Pery winkle brand ; and Puccinia truncata, or 
 Iris brand. Later on in the year a crowd of members 
 of this group of leaf-fungi will claim our attention. 
 
JUM. 
 
 Tjlf? HE month of June is exceedingly rich in leaf-fungi, 
 DIu' many of the most beautiful of them may be met 
 with during the entire month. The jEcideacei 
 are especially plentiful, but only a few of them 
 are within the reach of Manchester. One of the com- 
 monnest, the Coltsfoot clustercup, ^cidium compositaruni 
 var tussilaginis, 1 have found on the banks of the Mersey, 
 nearNorthenden, and in great plenty in the Buxton vallej^ 
 as far as Millers Dale, and a score of other localities. 
 
 epilehii will about this time be in fine condition in the 
 same localities, and generally throughout the country. 
 It appears to be chiefly developed upon Epilohium 
 hirsiita, but may be found also on other species of that 
 genus. The beautiful little daisy clustercup 
 compositariim^ var bellidis, although very plentiful in 
 some districts in the south of England is very rare 
 in the north, and I have but once succeeded in finding 
 it when at Buxton, rambling on Corbar hill, which over- 
 
 c 
 
34 
 
 looks that charming place. There is another member of 
 this genus which should be looked for now, for it covers 
 a wide range of country and in some districts infests 
 nearly every leaf of the plant. This is comp o sit arum., 
 
 vir taraxaci upon the well known dandelion. Although 
 so common, generally it is very rare in a wide district 
 surrounding Manchester. I have only twice found it 
 there, on one occasion near Taddington in Derbyshire. 
 The gooseberry clustercup, M, grossularia will be in 
 perfection now, and where it delights to dwell will be in 
 plenty. It is easily seen on the leaves of the tree, and 
 not unfrequently is also found in perfection on the fruit. 
 Occasionally it may be found upon the gooseberries 
 which are brought in the market, and it was one of 
 such gooseberries thus infested which first turned my 
 attention to the study of micro-fungi. There is one 
 other species of this genus which I must not omit to 
 notice, Avicularim, which grows upon the smaller 
 knot grass, Polygonum aviculare, one of the most 
 common of our weeds. The conditions under which it 
 is developed must be very peculiar, for it is one of the 
 rarest of all the micro-fungi and has seldom been found. 
 I was very fortunate in meeting with it in comparative 
 plenty, on one occasion just outside Manchester, on a 
 heap of rubbish of the most uninviting character. Streets 
 and houses now cover this lucky hunting ground, and I 
 have but little hope of meeting with the plant again, but 
 still I dont neglect this rambling weed as I go along in 
 
35 
 
 my botanical expeditions, and some fine day it may again 
 come to the front. 
 
 Amongst the Mcidiacei there are several species 
 which form a separate group under the term Roestelia. 
 Of these, which for the most part don’t appear until 
 autumn, there is one which is usually met with in 
 June. It is known as Roestelia lacerata or fringed 
 clustercup. It has not the general appearance of 
 the REcidiacei, bfit has internal characteristics 
 which connect it with that genus. Although com- 
 paratively common it does not frequently arrive at 
 perfection in the districts with which I am familiar, for 
 it is only on one occasion that I was fully satisfied with 
 my gatherings. It grows upon the common Hawthorn, 
 both on the leaves and the fruit. 
 
 About twelve years ago I met with a leaf-fungus in the 
 Bollin valley, near Wilmslow, Cheshire, which was new 
 to Britain, and not being able to find out what it was I 
 forwarded specimens to Dr. Cooke explaining particulars 
 of locality, &c. The fungus asumed the form of small 
 broken black spots, and the plant upon the leaves of 
 which they were, was the common Butter Bur, or Petasites 
 vulgaris. It was a considerable time before the Doctor 
 gave the plant a name, which he did ultimately in 
 Grevillea, vol. 1, p. 40, when he named it Budamia 
 Gapsulifer, Since that time he announced in the same 
 publication, vol. 5, p. 12, that the true name is 
 Physarum tussilaginis. Every year about this time 
 
36 
 
 since my first discovery, I have been able to gather any 
 reasonable amount of this fungus in one particular 
 limited district in Cheshire. This district embraces the 
 villages of Wilmslow, Northenden, Gratley, and the 
 valleys in their several localities, and it has been a 
 matter of great astonishment to me that I have never yet 
 heard of any other botanist having found the plant. I 
 have also by means of Science Gossip endeavoured to 
 find out if the fungus had been met with elsewhere, but 
 as yet I have no reply. It is one of the species 
 belonging to the Myxogastres, and is of especial interest 
 at the present time when some of our scientists are 
 claiming for the genus a relationship with the animal 
 kingdom. I would urge botanical students to be on the 
 look out for this interesting fungus. The probability is 
 that it may be found elsewhere, and it will be strange 
 indeed if Cheshire is the only county in England in 
 which the fungus will grow. 
 
 The Puccinicei are beginning to be plentiful now, 
 and are most of them very conspicuous by their intense 
 blackness. There is no difficulty in recognising them 
 under the microscope, for they are all composed of two 
 small cells. It is true the cells vary considerably in 
 size, form, and other particulars, some have peduncles 
 or stalks of various lengths, &c., and it is such vari- 
 ations upon which species are determined. The external 
 appearances and habits of the plant also vary con- 
 siderably. In many cases you find the fungus in minute 
 
37 
 
 spots, scattering irregularly and in plenty, on the leaf as 
 in Puccinia compo sit arum., on Centauria, and many other 
 plants. In other cases as in P. Smyrnii there are but a 
 very few such spots, and the fungus is very likely to be 
 overlooked. Then we have P. umbilici where the fungus 
 when fully ripe assumes the form of a dark (almost 
 black) patch. In the case of P. anemone on the Wood 
 anemone, we have the black spots of the fungus arranged 
 artistically so as to give beauty to the leaf. In the 
 fungus on the Betany, P. hetonicce we have a different 
 habit again, the brown spores of the fungus in small 
 quantity first come upon the surface of the leaf by 
 bursting the cuticle, and in the end when the fungus 
 has arrived at perfect maturity, the entire leaf is covered 
 with the smut. Thus the student by the external 
 appearance of the fungus may soon find out the means 
 of identification. The whole of the Puccinia I have 
 named above have been gathered in June. Besides them 
 there are numerous other leaf-fungi to be met with now, 
 but most of them will linger on till next month, when we 
 may make their acquaintance and introduce them to the 
 reader. 
 
JULY. 
 
 TT must be understood, as I have previously intimated, 
 (I that any enumeration of leaf-fungi as belonging 
 ^ to any particular month must be accepted as merely 
 a convenient mode of conveying to the student 
 what he should look for as most likely to be found. 
 Nature does not accept any such limitations, and is only 
 influenced by local conditions and by climate. For 
 instance, the brand upon the Adoxa muscatellina I have 
 usually classed with the fungi for June, and it is now 
 in July in perfection, it is known as Puccinia 
 saxifragarum. Similar circumstances arise continually 
 in every attempt at classification as to time. 
 
 I referred in the May paper to the genus Trichohasis. 
 There are now various species of the genus to be met 
 with, some, as the T. violorum, on the field violets, are 
 very common, as is also T. cichoracearum on the com- 
 posite plants. Various other species also may now be 
 met with, and are easily known and identified on 
 microscopic examination. There are numerous Mcidiacei 
 
39 
 
 now to be met with, the one on garden mint as 
 also on wild mint is very common ; the same cluster- 
 cup menthx is found upon both, but is much more 
 common on the garden mint than the wild. It grows 
 chiefly upon the stalks, but occasionally it is to be found 
 upon the leaves. There is one other clustercup of rare 
 beauty which I have found this month, hehenis, or 
 Bladder-campion clustercup. This fungus is rare as it 
 is beautiful, and I have only found it twice, once in 
 Wales and once in Devonshire, and in both cases on the 
 sea coast. 
 
 Amongst the white micro-fungi, for we have them of 
 all colours, there is one which I hunted for during 
 almost a generation, and I have never met with in the 
 north of England. It is Cystopus candidus on cabbage. 
 I did, however, meet with it in Devonshire, in 1879, 
 and in the following autumn at Deganway, near Conway 
 in Wales. Strange to say there is the exactly same 
 species of fungus wdiich grows upon the Shepherds’ 
 Purse (Capsella hursa-pastoris) in great plenty almost 
 everywhere. At certain times the plant and the fungus 
 are alike common. There are other species of this 
 genus which will often be met with by the industrious 
 student, one of which is rarely found in perfection or in 
 any considerable quantity. I allude to the Goat’s beard 
 cystopus, known as Cystopus cubicus, or Goat’s beard 
 white rust. This I have found in small quantity near 
 Southport on many occasions, but I dont imagine that 
 
40 
 
 it is ever developed in large quantity. On cabbage, 
 when cystopus is found on that plant, it appears in 
 patches often comparatively large, and they have the 
 appearance of dabs of whitewash. 
 
 There is another genus to which I desire to refer, 
 although several of the species are, from their surround- 
 ing conditions, difficult to meet with. Others canncjt 
 well be overlooked. Amongst the latter are TiUeti\t 
 caries, the bunt of wheat, and Ustilago carho, cork 
 smut, so common on oats and barley. Amongst th^ 
 more minute species are those that grow upon thd 
 anthers of various flowers. Ustilago Anther arum I have 
 but once found ; it was when I was botanizing in 
 Dovedale some years ago ; it was on Silene inflata. In 
 the summer of 1880, I for the first time met with 
 Ustilago Kuehniana at Urmston on anthers of common 
 Sorrel, Rumex acetosa, Ustilago longissima on grass I 
 have frequently met with, but only in one locality, near 
 Northenden in Cheshire ; but I don’t suppose the smut 
 is confined to any county whatever. When seen upon 
 the leaf it wears the appearance of fine black lines as if 
 ruled with a pen. There are various other species on 
 grass, as also on numerous plants, and they are all 
 worthy of being sought after by the reader. 
 
 These very minute organisms require a good lens of 
 high power, and also of good defining quality, in order 
 to distinguish the different species. I have often 
 employed one of Beck and Beck’s one sixth for this 
 
41 
 
 purpose, and even then I have had to go over the 
 specimen frequently b^efore I could come to any satis- 
 factory conclusion. 
 
 Now is the time to begin to look out for Peronos- 
 pora. They generally assume the form of delicate white 
 threads thickly set upon the leaf of the plant, giving it 
 a somewhat glazed appearance. One of this genus is 
 the great enemy of our favourite vegetable the potatoe, 
 and is the especial dread of the market gardener. If 
 the season be wet, this well-known mould Peronospora 
 infestans, as it is named, is very likely to be developed 
 towards the latter end of this month, or early in the 
 next. A preliminary decay of the leaf is indicated by 
 the appearance of brownish spots, and on the ex- 
 amination of the leaf in this condition, the mould, if 
 existing, will he found close to, and sometimes partly 
 upon the spots. Unfortunately this pest is far too 
 common amongst potatoe fields in wet seasons. In 
 August, 1880, I met with an enormous quantity of the 
 fungus in potatoe fields at Urmston, and, had not the 
 farmers took the wise step of at once digging up the tubers, 
 the destruction would have been fearful. Thoughtless 
 delay in the farmer frequently gives the fungus time to 
 get down to the potatoe itself, when the tuber quickly 
 becomes unfit for human food. The way by which this 
 rapid change comes about, is a good study for the micro- 
 scopist, but is too long a story for me to tell on the 
 present occasion. The species of this genus are numerous. 
 
42 
 
 and new ones are frequently being found ; some ten or a 
 dozen such are well recognised ‘and admitted as true 
 Peronospora that were not known a dozen years ago. The 
 Kev. Mr. Yize, of Forden, Welshpool, has the honour of 
 bringing some of these to the knowledge of botanical 
 students. If the reader desires, he may soon collect a 
 considerable number of the Peronspora, for they are 
 constant visitors upon a large number of our plants. 
 Our old friend Ranunculus ficaria, which has already 
 given us a beautiful clustercup jEcidhim ranuncu- 
 lacearum, and the smut TJrompces ficaricB supples us with 
 a Peronosp)ora, P.ficarm, The wood anemone also gives 
 us a clustercup, ^cidium leucospermum, and a smut 
 Puccinia anemones now presents us with the Peronospora 
 pijgmcBa. In this way numerous plants during the year 
 come forward from time to time with their contributions 
 for scientific study. I think I can now best assist the 
 student by giving a list of the more common Peronospora, 
 a familarity with which will tend to educate the eye, and 
 prepare him for the discovery and identification of the 
 more rare ones. The more common ones, speaking 
 from my own experience, are : — 
 
 Peronospora nivea (Parsnip mould), on Umhelliferce. 
 
 P. gangliformis (Lettuce mould), on Lettuces and other 
 compo sitae. 
 
 P. vincicB (Pea mould), on Peas, &c. 
 
 P. violcB (Yiolet mould), on leaves of common Yiolet. 
 
43 
 
 P, iirticcE (Nettle mould), on leaves of Nettle. 
 
 P. ohliqua (Dock mould), on leaves of Sorrel and Dock. 
 
 Amonst the jEcidiacei we have several interesting 
 fuDgi, known as Peiddermiums, one of which Perider- 
 miiim pini may be found this month on leaves of Scotch 
 fir. I cannot hut think it very rare, as I have never 
 been able to meet with it, although my attempts in that 
 direction have been continued from year to year ever 
 since my study of these wonderful plants began. Let 
 the student, however, take such opportunities as he may 
 have for the examination of the tree, and it is not 
 improbable that he may be more fortunate than the 
 writer. 
 
AUGUST. 
 
 /prEETAIN members of the interesting group of 
 micro-fungi, known as Piiccmmi, have had our 
 attention in previous papers as they have been 
 gradually coming to the front. Now we have 
 them in great plenty. The straw stalks of wheat and 
 the leaves of wheat, as also certain grasses, are fre- 
 quently infested with a member of the group known as 
 Puccinia gramminis, the spores of which, like those 
 of other Pticcmia proper, are two celled, but they are 
 larger and much longer than most if not all other 
 members of the group, and possess a lengthened stalk 
 or peduncle. Garden mint is now likely to develop a 
 Puccinia, for I have found it yearly during some eight 
 or ten years about this time in a neighbour’s garden, on 
 the outskirts of Manchester and elsewhere. This smut 
 Puccinia menthce is also found on wild mint and other 
 plants, but it is more rare on the wild than the garden 
 
45 
 
 mint. P. glomerata is to be found on the ragwort now, 
 and will continue with us almost to the end of the year. 
 It must, I think, be very common, for I have met with it 
 so frequently round about Manchester as also far away 
 from that city. The species of ragwort, Senecio 
 Jacohaa, on which I have usually found the smut, is one 
 of our most common wild plants. 
 
 Piiccinia vciTicibilis, which infests that common weed 
 the dandelion, claims our special attention from the 
 circumstance of the strange variations which exist in the 
 forms of its spores. Some are rounded, others stunted 
 or variously elongated, while occasionally they are 
 formed of three cells, whereas the common characteristic 
 of Puccinia is that they are two celled. It is but 
 seldom that I have met with this singular variation of 
 three cells from the normal condition of the spores. In 
 some portions of the country the fungus is very common, 
 and I have found almost every leaf infested, in others it 
 is very rare, if ever met with. This is the case in 
 Lancashire and Cheshire so far as my experience goes. 
 
 Belonging the Puccini(si there are several species of 
 another group of leaf-fungi which have a special claim 
 upon our attention. I allude to those known as 
 PhvdgTnidiuvis. They may all be met with about this 
 time, but some in favourable localities will have appeared 
 earlier, while others -will linger on even a month or two 
 longer. Instead of being two celled like the Puccinicif 
 they are made up of three, four, five, or in some 
 
46 
 
 instances six cells, thus forming a small string of cells. 
 Upon the leaves of plants where they grow they assume 
 an aggregated appearance and form tufts, and well dried 
 and mounted in this condition as opaque objects make 
 most charming slides for the microscope. The whole of 
 the group have peduncles or stalks of attachment to the 
 leaves upon which they grow, and as they are not 
 numerous I will refer to the whole of the known British 
 species. 
 
 The most conspicuous of the group is the bramble 
 brand, Phragmidium hidbosum, and it is very common 
 over a large extent of country, especially in Wales and 
 the Lake District. In other localities I have met with 
 it — as for example — in Cheshire and Derbyshire, but in 
 these cases always in smaller quantity. The P. bulbosmn 
 I have found as late as October on one occasion, as also 
 I, on the same occasion, met with raspberry brand — 
 Phragmidium gracile. In these two instances the plants 
 were in fair condition, although the season was so far 
 gone. The raspberry brand is a smaller fungus than 
 the bramble brand, and the reader will find the 
 distinction most marked, besides the leaves of the two 
 plants at once determine the question. The leaf of the 
 bramble is prickly and of a coarser structure than the 
 leaf of the raspberry. 
 
 The Bose brand, Phragmidium m>ucronatum, is not 
 so common as the two other brands I have already 
 named, but still it cannot be called scarce, for in 
 
47 
 
 favourable localities it is plentiful. In the open 
 country at the proper time it may be found by the 
 student upon the leaves of the common dog rose. The 
 best find I ever made of this Phragmidium was near 
 Southport some ten years ago about this time. I have 
 met with it frequently elsewhere, but never upon the 
 cultivated or garden rose. 
 
 The Strawberry brand, Phragmidium obtMsuni, and 
 the Burnet brand, Phragmidium acuminatum, are both 
 somewhat smaller fungi than those previously named. 
 The first is found on the leaves of the wild strawberry 
 plant. I have met with it on two occasions in moderate 
 quantity, but I am inclined to think it rare. One 
 occasion was when I was at Aberystwith, and the other 
 within about a mile of the sea coast in the Lake District. 
 The P. acuminatum is a still rarer fungus, and when 
 found upon the leaf of the burnet is generally in small 
 quantity, and very likely to be overlooked by the 
 student. It is in a ease of this kind that a good pocket 
 lens is extremely useful. We have another member of 
 this group named by Dr. Cooke, Phragmidium buUatum. 
 This fungus is said to grow upon the twigs of the dog 
 rose, but as yet I have not had the good fortune to 
 meet with it. 
 
 I have just spoken of Phragmidium acuminatum as 
 growing upon the burnet. It should however be 
 remembered that it is the smaller burnet, Poterium 
 sanguisorba^ upon which the fungus grows, for we 
 
48 
 
 have a larger burnet, Sanguisorha officinalis, and this 
 also furnishes us with an interesting brand — I allude to 
 the charming chain brand, Xenodochus carhonarius. 
 This is one of the most pleasing and interesting of all 
 the leaf- fungi, and is said by Dr. Cooke to be very rare. 
 Notwithstanding this opinion of the Doctor, I have to 
 say for the encouragement of the reader that I find it 
 every summer in plenty. My chief gatherings have 
 been in the Buxton valley some two or three miles from 
 the town. I can any summer find it also in Cheshire 
 in the valley of the Bollin in fields near the river. I have 
 received it from Montgomeryshire, and I doubt not it 
 may be found in numerous localities. The brand has 
 the general characteristics of a Phragmidium, but it is 
 greatly extended in length, and forms a beautiful chain 
 as of beads, a sort of fairy necklace. Besides this there 
 is still a smaller chain brand, I allude to Xenodochus 
 curtus, which has never been found but once when the 
 writer had the good fortune to meet with it in Septem- 
 ber, 1873. Specimens of the fungus were forwarded to 
 Dr. Cooke, and he has in the later editions of his work, 
 “ Bust, Smut, Mildew, and Mould,” given a full 
 description of the plant to which I beg to refer the 
 reader. The plant upon which it was found is Valeriana 
 officinalis, and it will give me pleasure if I can hear of 
 other students meeting with this very rare fungus. For 
 the information of the reader, I will explain the locality 
 in which I met with it. On the high road from Buxton 
 
49 
 
 fco Bakewell there is the village of Taddington, about 
 3qual distance betwixt the two places. Groing in the 
 direction of Bakewell from Taddington and about a mile 
 from the village is a wood on the left hand or eastern 
 side of the road. It was in this wood and not many 
 y^ards from the road that I found Xenodochus curtus, 1 
 lave made many efforts since my discovery to find more 
 }f the fungus, but I regret to say always without success. 
 
 The reader will find August a favourable month for 
 gathering another curious group of leaf-fungi, known as 
 Erysiphe. The general structure and physiology of 
 ihese fungi differ greatly from all others that have 
 daimed our attention. Their appearance as seen on the 
 eaves of the plants upon which they grow is that of small 
 ;annon balls, aud they are most difiicult to find on 
 iccount of their extreme minuteness. The one on the 
 )urdock — burdock blight, Erysiphe montagnei, is I 
 ihink the best to find on account of the large quantity 
 ind comparative largeness of the fungus. Whenever 
 :he reader meets with the leaves of the burdock in a 
 iecayed condition, he will most probably find such 
 eaves infested with the fungus in an unmistakable 
 nanner. The mugwort is infested with a much smaller 
 hngus, Erysphe Linkii. This I have found in numerous 
 ocalities in Lancashire and Cheshire, and I have 
 •eason to look upon it as common. We have one 
 nember of this group on peas and beans and various 
 )ther plants. It is known as Erysiphe Martii, and is 
 
 D 
 
50 
 
 very common in autumn. Besides those I have already ^ 
 named we have Grass Blight, Erysiphe gramminis ; we 
 have the Composite Blight, Erysiphe lamprocarpaj on 
 plantain, and sundry other plants ; we have the Butter- 
 cup Blight, Erysiphe communis^ and the Bugloss Blight, 
 Erysyphe horridula, and lastly Cornel Blight, Erysiphe 
 tortilis. The last, which is to be found upon the leaves 
 of the dogwood. Comas sanguinea, I have met with but 
 once. Still I don’t think it scarce, but its extreme 
 minuteness makes it difficult to find. One peculiarity 
 of this group of fungi is that they are surrounded with 
 singular radiating appendages, an idea of the general 
 characteristics, of which may be gathered from the 
 figure on Plate No. 1. Another is that the spores of the 
 fuDgus are developed in a sort of pod called an ascus, each 
 ascus containing two spores. If the student desires to 
 see the spores in ascus ' he should take one or more 
 of the parasites from the leaf, place them in water and 
 burst them by pressure when under the microscope, when 
 he cannot well fail to find what he is looking for, as also 
 the remarkable appendages connected with the parasite. 
 
SEPTEMBEE. 
 
 HE autumn of the year is the great harvest of the 
 student who pays especial atention to micro- 
 fungi. It is then that the leaves of trees, and 
 vegetation generally, begin to decay under the 
 blighting influence of a lower temperature, and as they 
 lose their vitality they become the abodes of a new 
 vegetable kingdom, which may not improperly be called 
 the invisible kingdom, for so far as the world generally 
 is concerned, it is altogether unknown and uncared for. 
 With the decay of ordinary vegetation we lose one of the 
 most lovely aspects of nature, but to the microscopist 
 this is not altogether a loss ; there is a happy com- 
 pensation for him in the marvellous wonders he finds in 
 the new world brought into existence by the decay of 
 the old. In the earlier portions of the year the micro- 
 fungi he was able to find were upon healthy, perfect 
 leaves, and comparatively few ; now their number is 
 legion, and they are found on dead and dying vegetation 
 
 
52 
 
 all around him wherever he may care to look for them. 
 It would be vain in me to attempt to refer to all the 
 numerous species which now make their appearance : 
 the catalogue would be far too long for this short article, 
 so I must confine myself chiefly to the notice of what I 
 have myself met with in my rambles, or such as I have 
 come upon unexpectedly. Still, as almost every locality 
 is the home of special plants, microscopic or otherwise, 
 it may be well to refer to such micro-fungi as may be 
 easily recognised by the student. 
 
 By this time most of the Uredos are over, the 
 one on the larger burnet still lingering on in con- 
 nection with the beautiful chain-brand referred to in 
 the last number for August, but several others 
 have come to the front, amongst them Uredo 
 quercus. On the underside of oak leaf this has 
 been found in Sherwood forest and elsewhere, but I have 
 never heard of it being found near to any of our large 
 towns. The same remarks will apply to the bilberry 
 fungus, Uredo vacciniorum^ which is a native of the 
 mountains or the moors. The fern uredo, or Uredo 
 JiUcium, I have met with frequently on Cystopetris 
 fragilis, but I still believe it is rare, as I cannot hear of 
 others finding it. I have a specimen on S colop endrium 
 vulgare which was supplied me by a friend. 
 
 Amongst what may be termed the autumnal Uredos 
 is one on the Enchanter’s Nightshade, Circce iutetiana. 
 This I once met with in beautiful condition in a wood at 
 
53 
 
 Matlock. The wood is on the left bank of the river 
 Derwent, which has to be crossed by a boat. There is 
 a remarkable circumstance connected with all these later 
 Uredos, namely, that the spores are extremely minute. 
 If the student will be at the trouble of comparing the 
 spores of TJredo miniata, or any of the earlier species, 
 with the spores of any autumnal kind, he will at once 
 recognise the great difference. 
 
 Many of the fungi referred to in last month’s paper 
 are still to be found, especially Erysiphe montagnii and 
 E, Linkii, Last year I found these in great plenty as 
 late as October. It is only when the plants on which 
 they live have been destroyed by the frost that they 
 altogether disappear. 
 
 Amongst Puccimcei named in former papers, some 
 are over, but many remain to reward the botanist, 
 and amongst them are many that I have not previously 
 referred to ; Simong^t them Puccinia poly gono7'U7n, This 
 I have never met with in good condition but once, 
 and that was so far back as the autumn of 1863, now 
 eighteen years ago. Puccinia Galiorim, Bedstraw 
 brand, on Galium aparine should be looked for now and 
 also in October, as I found it last year in the latter 
 month. The asparagus brand, P. asparagi, may now 
 be met with. I have once found it when stopping at 
 Ashford-in-the- Water, near Bakewell. The Iris Puccinia, 
 and others named by Dr. Cooke, I have never yet been 
 able to find. 
 
54 
 
 In looking over my own gatherings of micro -fungi I 
 have frequently been reminded of the fact that a con- 
 siderable number of them I have met with but once, 
 while others come to the front every year as regularly 
 and as plentifully as daisies or buttercups. Some that I 
 once thought very rare I now find frequently, and some 
 others that I felt inclined to think common I have never 
 met with. Probably this also may be the experience of 
 other students. The only wise plan of research is for 
 the student to look out everywhere whenever an 
 opportunity arises in both likely and unlikely places, 
 and he will not unfrequently be rewarded by finding in 
 the latter unexpected treasures, which will amply repay 
 him for any trouble he may have taken. 
 
OCTOBEE. 
 
 8 UKING this month, and onwards during the year, 
 the Nidulariacei may be found, and are well 
 worth the looking for. They are not leaf-fungi 
 of which I have hitherto spoken, but one species, 
 Theleholus terrestris may be found upon fir leaves. The 
 dying or dead stems of ferns, especially of Pteris 
 aquilina, £iYe the habitats of many of them ; others may 
 he found on dead twigs lying on the ground, or in other 
 similar situations. Many of them are in appearance 
 like small birds’ nests, hence the name of Nidulariacei. 
 In one species, Crucihulum vulgare, there are from four 
 to six of these egg-like bodies on an average in each 
 nest about the size of a moderate-sized pin’s head. If 
 one of these egg-like bodies be softened in water and 
 broken up, it will be found to contain thousands of oval 
 transparent spores. Although I have bestowed much 
 trouble in looking for these curious plants, I have only 
 met with a few of them. Cyathus vernicosus I found at 
 Broughton-in-Furness in August, 1875 ; and Spherobolus 
 
56 
 
 steUatiis in October of the same year at Marple. It will 
 be observed that the fungi referred to are comparatively 
 large, and may be readily recognised if the student is 
 fortunate enough to meet with them. Some of them 
 will measure from quarter of an inch to half an inch or 
 more in diameter. There are many species of Ascobolus, 
 which belong to the Elvellacei, now to be met with, and 
 they are easily recognised. Numerous of them are of a 
 bright orange or yellow colour, and grow upon cow- 
 dung. They may be found in almost every pasture 
 where cows feed. The fruit of the Ascobolus, when 
 well mounted, forms one of the most beautiful of 
 microscopic objects. The spores are in countless 
 numbers of pod-like cases called asci, and are very 
 transparent. They should be mounted in jelly or fluid. 
 After many trials, I have been compelled to give up 
 Canada balsam as a medium for these objects. 
 
 Besides the above so easily found there are numerous 
 other species which require carefully looking for : some 
 are black, some green, and others of various shades. 
 A many of them are very small. By far the larger 
 number of the species are to be found upon the dung of 
 animals — the cow, horse, rabbit, sheep, and others 
 furnish numerous species. Some have been found upon 
 leather and old rags, but I must not occupy the space 
 necessary for a fuller account of these interesting fungi. 
 I will only add that they may be found anywhere in the 
 proper season. Some of the species may be met with 
 
57 
 
 all tlie year round. At the present time cow-dung is 
 the favourite nidus upon which several species grow in 
 great abundance. 
 
 Some of the Myxogastres (a most interesting family, 
 and a great puzzle to the science student) come to the 
 front about this time, while others of them are over, and 
 will not appear again until spring. Phijsarum album is 
 a very interesting member of the family. Damp shady 
 places, especially woods, should be explored in search 
 of it. It may be found on various substances. My 
 most pleasing specimen I found on leaves of ground ivy 
 in October of last year. Other species may be found 
 on dead branches of trees lying on the ground or on 
 rotten wood. 
 
 Various species of Arcyria (they also belong to the 
 Myxogastres) may now be met with on rotten wood, or 
 on moss in damp places. They are exceedingly beauti- 
 ful microscopic objects, and are comparatively common. 
 The ATcyria punicea, the common name of which is 
 ‘‘ Splendid Arcyria,” does truly merit that name. It is 
 of a rich red colour, about the size of a large pin s head, 
 and clusters of the fungus are usually found together. 
 There are other members of the family that will be met 
 with by the diligent student, but I name this one 
 specially, as it is of all of them the most easily found in 
 consequence of its bright colour. 
 
 The Trichia (also Myxogastres) are now to be met 
 with. They also are found on rotten wood. One of 
 
58 
 
 them, Trichia rubiformis, is readily seen by its bright 
 red colour, and is here known commonly as ‘‘ Reddish 
 Trichia.” There are numerous species of the Trichia, 
 almost all on rotten wood. During the month, and 
 indeed during the winter, the forest, where dead sticks 
 are scattered about, and dead stumps, in various con- 
 ditions of rottenness may be met with, forms a rich 
 hunting ground for the student. Not only are the above 
 rich in minute fungi, but the thousands of leaves spread 
 about under his feet are almost all more or less covered 
 with minute cryptogams. I have rambled miles among 
 such scenes of dead veegtation, where I have found an 
 infinity of life springing up from the ashes of the dead. 
 Organisms, wonderful in their structure, rich in colour, 
 and when seen under the lens of a good microscope, as 
 beautiful as the loved flowers of the spring. The 
 admirer of the common wild flowers finds his special 
 botanical enjoyment gone as winter approaches, but it is 
 not so with the microscopist ; for him nature provides a 
 perpetual feast. No frost or storm can deprive him of 
 his plants The enjoyment when he meets with them is 
 untold, and in due time they are placed in his cabinet, 
 and become things of beauty for ever. 
 
 I have once met with Xenodochus carhonarius as 
 late as October, as also various members of the same 
 genus ; indeed, there are a goodly number of leaf-fungi 
 still to be found. Sheltered warm corners amongst 
 rocks are likely places to find late specimens of micro- 
 
59 
 
 Lngi ; indeed, the thoughtful student will not overlook 
 ich promising localities. I abstain from giving a 
 ■chnical description of the fungi I have referred to, as I 
 elieve the small space I can occupy is better employed 
 1 indicating to the student what to look for, and the most 
 kely places to find what he wants. Structure is best 
 nderstood by personal examination with a microscope. 
 
 I will close this paper by a reference to the Diachaea. 
 le one species— for there is hut one -belongs to the 
 lyxogastres, and may be found when the special con- 
 itions exist all the year round. It is not so common 
 ,s the other fungi I have spoken of. It grows in small 
 ufts aggregated, and about the size of the Arcyria, hut 
 here is no beauty of colour to attract the eye, for it is 
 lerfectly black. The structure of the fungus is very 
 leautiful, and very similar to the structure of the 
 krcyria. I have found this fungus hut once, and that 
 vas some years ago, in a cucumber frame, upon a bit of 
 /ery rotten wood. The fungus, I am inclined to think, 
 s not very rare, but its blackness and small size prevent 
 ts being seen. 
 
T^OYEMBER 
 
 J r S November approaches the leaf-fungi have with 
 i but few exceptions withdrawn from the scene, 
 
 3 but other minute members of the great fungus 
 
 family crowd upon us and claim our attention. 
 The innumerable leaves, lately green or beautifully 
 tinted with autumnal shades, are now scattered about 
 in all directions. The vegetable vitality is extinct, but 
 the dead leaf becomes the home of countless organisms. 
 In its gradual decomposition it brings into life a new 
 world of interesting plants, all deserving of microscopic 
 study. There is nothing upon the leaf to indicate the 
 existence of the former leaf-fungi except an opening or 
 fracture in the leaf itself. The leaf tissue has in part 
 been consumed by the parasite, and the millions of 
 spores have been wafted away by the wind to find a 
 resting place until another summer, when they may 
 originate a renewed life. Now there is no scarcity of 
 fallen leaves, for country lanes and woody districts are 
 paved with them. If we pick up a few we soon discover 
 
61 
 
 marked difference in their surface appearance. Some 
 Lve distinct black patches upon them, the marks of a 
 5cided fungus, while others have but microscopic hints 
 ‘ the possibility of organic life. The patches I speak 
 ■ are sometimes so arranged upon the leaf of the 
 ^camore as to form a beautiful artistic pattern ; at 
 her times irregularly broken up into large and small 
 itches. In all cases they are intensely black and have 
 shining undulating surface so that they are easily 
 (Cognised. The black patches on the sycamore are 
 lused by a fungus known as Rhytisma acerinum, and 
 .ay be met with in woods every autumn in great 
 lantity. I shall never forget my first find of this 
 ell-known fungus in a wood at Chelford, early in my 
 dcroscopic study. Since then, I have frequently met 
 ith it. Willow leaves furnish us with another 
 hytisma, R. salicinum, and the nettle another, R. 
 rticcB, but these, although easily seen, are not so 
 mspicuous as R, acernium. There is one other to which 
 must refer, namely, Rhytisma maximum, which makes 
 s home upon branches of the willow, and when in 
 ood condition is a most interesting object. Then the 
 pores in asci may be easily obtained and prepared for 
 dcroscopic inspection. I have always been more or 
 ;ss disappointed in the examination of other Khytisma, 
 ut never with this. It may be known by its shining 
 urface, but the dimpled characteristic of other 
 Ihytisma is absent. 
 
v 
 
 62 ^ 
 
 The genus Dothidea should now be looked for 
 Various of them have made their appearance earlier, bu 
 may linger on to the end of the year. The one on th' 
 rush, D, junci, is an annual visitor, and may now 
 met with on the margins of pools where rushes love t( 
 grow. Another, which is very common, is D.filicina 
 bracken Dothidea. Almost every stem of Pteris aquilint, 
 is more or less infested with this fungus. Some of th< 
 Dothidea grow on decayed herbaceous stems, as D 
 striceforniis. Gooseberry branches are sometimes infestec 
 with Dothidea ribesia. Other plants become the home! 
 of other Dothidea, but it is not desirable that I shoulc 
 occupy more time with this genus. 
 
 The Phacidiacei, of which there are numerous 
 species, and some of which may be easily found on deac 
 leaves. On the holly leaves two species are frequentl} 
 met with. In woods where the holly is plentiful, the dead 
 leaves of the trees in winter are scattered about ir 
 thousands, and almost every leaf is beautifally spotted 
 over with the conspicuous black fungus. The twc 
 species I refer to are Phacidium ilicis and P. Hick 
 pulveracea. 
 
 Leaves of other plants, now dead on the ground, are 
 equally the habitats of members of this family. What 
 I have said must be accepted as an indication of an 
 interesting field of research to the student. 
 
 There is a small, bright yelloV or orange fungus to 
 be found on damp old twigs and stumps in the shape oi 
 
64 
 
 •ounded spots. After a long continuance of wet 
 jv’eather this is so abundant at times that it cannot be 
 jvell overlooked, and more especially about this season, 
 [t is Tubercularia vulgaris. It is also found on dead 
 iwigs upon the living tree. I have many times found it 
 ibus in Hough End Clough, within about a mile from 
 Alexandra Park, Manchester. If examined, it is found 
 :o consist almost entirely of a mass of countless conidia. 
 [ have found November the best time to look for this 
 fungus, and when I have set out on an expedition for 
 that purpose I have never failed to secure what I 
 wanted. This fungus is, however, but the early 
 condition of a more interesting plant, known as Nectria 
 cinnaharina, in its perfect condition, and I have some- 
 times found it when the two conditions could be 
 distinctly seen on the same stem, and when the change 
 from the early state of the fungus to its perfect condition 
 was taking place. I have at present specimens in my 
 herbarium of that character by me which I obtained 
 some years ago. 
 
 The Nectria belong to the Sphseriacei, as also do 
 •the Dothidea, spoken of above, having spores in asci, 
 ;and it requires a good lens to define them well. A 
 jfourth or a sixth is the most suitable power for the 
 purpose. 
 
 The industrious student will meet with numerous 
 other micro-fungi during the month equally interesting 
 with those to which I have referred, but I have said 
 
65 
 
 enough to point out the vast field of research which lies 
 before him, and I hope I have also said sufiicient to 
 stimulate his industry in the pursuit of a study, than 
 which none is more delightful, nor does any provide 
 for him a more ample reward. 
 
DEOEMBEE. 
 
 ijiTHOSE who have done me the honour of reading 
 Iq my notes from month to month during the year, 
 m will remember that we began the notice of 
 leaf-fungi in the early spring, when they first 
 lime to gladden our eyes upon Rayiunculus ficaria^ 
 morally known as Pilewort or the lesser Celandine, 
 his early visitor of our meadows, with its two interest- 
 ig micro-fungi upon its leaves, is the harbinger of a 
 )mplete host of followers of equal or surpassing 
 Lterest and beauty. Year by year with unfailing 
 ielity this welcome plant with its shining golden petals 
 )mes to the front thus early to cheer the botanist, and 
 > re-call to the student of microscopy the large harvest 
 i: scientific study which is in preparation for him. 
 bus early we have but two species of leaf-fungi, but 
 )on others are developed in great number almost daily, 
 itil a large proportion of the vegetable kingdom 
 3comes decorated or infested with these minute 
 
 E 
 
66 
 
 cryptogams — sometimes the pest of the agriculturist 
 but always the delight of the botanical microscopist, ai 
 also for him the best field for studying the secrets o; 
 nature. If there be a link connecting the animal anc 
 vegetable kingdoms, here it is that that link must h( 
 sought for, and the tendency of scientific researcl 
 indicates that here it is where such link must be found 
 The thinkers of the day who earnestly seek to solv 
 this hidden problem are all directing their studies towardi 
 certain members of this numerous family for a decided 
 reply and demonstration on the subject. I fear tc 
 attempt a forecast of what the result may be. My 
 desire is not to give an opinion on the difficult question, 
 but to call the attention of the student to the subject as 
 one of infinite interest and well deserving of his 
 careful study. 
 
 From month to month since March the leaf-fungi 
 have kept us company in continually increasing 
 numbers, until the deadening chills of autumn began tc 
 thin their ranks, and from that time they have left the 
 field gradually until but few remain. Still there arc 
 two or three who keep up the fight for existence, and it 
 is always a real pleasure to the microscopical student 
 when he meets with these old favourites who remain tc 
 cast a bit of botanical sunshine on the dark days oi 
 winter. In this otherwise cold and dreary month 
 there are sometimes bright days when the botanist will 
 he off into the meadows hunting in sheltered nooks for 
 
G7 
 
 sundry cryptogams, when his eye may rest upon the 
 well-known smut upon the ragwort. This vigorous 
 plant with its black spots of Puccinia comes into life 
 early in the year and maintains a prolonged existence 
 near unto the merry days of Christmas festivity. The 
 only locality where I have found the fungus Puccinia 
 glotmrata so late as about this time is near to Southport. 
 Betwixt this place and Churchtown there are countless 
 sandy hills and sundry sandy lanes, and amongst them 
 many warm sheltered corners where more than one 
 summer plant lingers on into the short dark days of 
 winter. It is in such places where the botanical hunter 
 should peep, for there he may find unexpected prey. 
 There are two other leaf-fuugi which I have met with in 
 December, but in these cases I had to go far away 
 south into the charming and mild county of Devon. 
 There in this month in 1873 I found the Ground Ivy 
 Brand, Pucdnia gl&choniatiSj on (xlccoma Kcdcvaccu, 
 within about a hundred yards of the railroad station at 
 Taunton. The other Devonshire fungus I refer to I met 
 with in a pleasant ramble betwixt Barnstaple and 
 Ilfracombe. It was in a sheltered valley well protected 
 by surrounding hills. The plant upon which I found 
 this third December fungus was upon the Cotyledon 
 Umbilicus, and is known as Puccinia Umbilici, This I 
 also found in 1873. Doubtless the short days of this 
 month, with the not unfrequent accompaniments of 
 snow and rain make botanical hunting not very inviting. 
 
68 
 
 Still something may be got worth gathering, for a 
 handful of dead leaves picked up from the earth are 
 certain to be covered more or less with vegetable 
 organisms. When by the comfortable fireside in the 
 long winter nights even these dead leaves will find the 
 student profitable and pleasureable employment. 
 
 In reviewing the notes of the year I meet with a 
 complete host of interesting fungi which I could not 
 well introduce to the reader. This is the result of an 
 absolute necessity, as my space and my time have been 
 alike limited. I have desired to be a guide and a help 
 to the young beginner, and now I have to bid him 
 farewell with a hearty wish that he may go on his way 
 rejoicing. It has been a pleasure to me to have been 
 employed in this humble duty, and I have a further 
 satisfaction in believing that my labour has not been in 
 vain. 
 
 Thomas Beittain. 
 
APPEl^DIX. 
 
 Containing a list of Micro-fungi mostly to be found 
 m leaves of plants. 
 
 Raestelia lacerata (Lacerated Raestelia), on hawthorn. 
 Raestelia cornuta (Horn-like Raestelia), on mountain ash. 
 Raestelia cancellata (Pear-leaf Raestelia), on pear leaves. 
 Periderium elatinum, on silver fir. 
 
 Periderium pini, on young Scotch fir. 
 
 Periderium columnare, on picea. 
 
 Periderium acilocum, on leaves of Scotch fir. 
 
 ^cidium tragopogonis (Goat’s beard Clustercups), on 
 goat’s beard. 
 
 ®cidium depauperans (Yiolet Clustercups), on garden 
 violets. 
 
70 
 
 iEcidium epilobii (Willow-herb Clustercups), on 
 Epilobium hirsutum and E. montana. 
 
 .Ecidium quadrifidium (Four-lobed Clustercups), on 
 garden anemone. 
 
 iEcidium leucospermum (White-spored Clustercups), on 
 wood anemone. 
 
 ^cidium albescens (Moschatel Clustercups), on adoxa 
 moschatellina. 
 
 Jilcidium thesii (Bastard Toadflax Clustercups), on 
 thesium humifusum. 
 
 ^cidium Soldanellae (Soldanella Clustercups), on 
 soldanilla Alpina. 
 
 ^cidium euphorbise (Spurge Clustercups), on spurge leav- 
 
 iEcidium thalictri (Meadow-rue Clustercups), on thalic- 
 trum alpinum. 
 
 ^cidium berberidis (Berberry Clustercups), on leaves of 
 berberry. 
 
 ^cidium statices (Sea-lavender Clustercups), on silene 
 inflata. 
 
 u^cidium grossulariae (Gooseberry Clustercups), on leaves 
 and fruit of gooseberry. 
 
 ^cidium valerianacearum (Valerian Clustercups), on 
 Valeriana officinalis. 
 
71 
 
 Icidium bunii (Pig-nut Clustercups), on umbilifera. 
 
 jcidium ranunculacearum (Crowfoot Clustercups), on 
 ranunculas ficaria. 
 
 icidiuiii periclymene (Honeysuckle Clustercups), under 
 the leaves of honeysuckle. 
 
 ilcidium crassum (Buckthorn Clustercups), on rhamnus 
 catharticus. 
 
 Ecidium caltbse (Marsh Marigold Clustercups), on 
 caltha palustris. 
 
 Ecidium galii (Bed-straw Clustercups), on galium 
 verum, &c. 
 
 Ecidium pimpinellae (Pimpinella Clustercups), on 
 pimpinella saxifraga. 
 
 Ecidium asperifolii (Borage Clustercups), on boragineae. 
 
 Ecidium urticee (Nettle Clustercups), on the leaves and 
 stalks of nettle. 
 
 Ecidium orobi (Bitter-vetch Clustercups), on orobus 
 tuberosus. 
 
 Ecidium compositarum (var Lapsana), on lapsana 
 communis. 
 
 Ecidium compositarum (var Taraxaci) on dandelion. 
 
 Ecidium compositarum (var Jacobaea), on senecio 
 jacoboea. 
 
72 
 
 ^cidium compositarnm (var Prenanthis), on hawkweed 
 
 ^cidium compositarum (var Tussilaginis), on Coltsfoot. 
 
 ^cidium saniculiB (Sanicle Clustercups), on salinuc 
 Europoea. 
 
 Jilcidiuin poterii (Burnet Clustercups), on poteriui 
 sanguisorba. 
 
 ^cidium menth^e (Mint Clustercups). on garden an^ 
 other mints. 
 
 ^cidium pedicularis (Red-rattle Clustercups;, o; 
 pedicularis palustris. 
 
 Mcidinm rubellum (Dock Clustercups), on sorrel arid 
 dock. ' 
 
 ^cidium ari (Wake-robin Clustercups), on arum 
 maculatum. 
 
 ^cidium vioI« (Violet Clustercups), on wild violets. 
 
 ^cidium geranii ;Crane’ s bill Clustercups), on geranium 
 pratense, &c. 
 
 ^cidium scropbulariae (Figwort Clustercups), on 
 scrophularea aquatica. 
 
 ^cidium primute (Primrose Clustercups), on leaves of 
 primroses. 
 
 ^cidium aviculariae (Knot-grass Clustercups), on 
 polygonum aviculare. 
 
73 
 
 ^cidium dracontii (Arum Clustercups), on garden arum 
 tripbyllum. 
 
 iEcidium incarceratum, on sagittaria. 
 
 /Ecidium orchidearum (Orchis Clustercups), on leaves of 
 orchis latifolia. 
 
 iEcidium alii (Garlic Clustercups), on leaves of common 
 garlic. 
 
 Xenodochus carbonarius (Burnet Chain Brand), on the 
 larger burnet. 
 
 Xenodochus curtus, on valeriana officinalis. 
 
 Phragmidium gracile (Kaspberry Brand), on leaves of 
 raspberry. 
 
 Phragmidium acuminatum (Burnet Brand), on the lesser 
 burnet. 
 
 Phragmidium bulbosum (Bramble Brand), on leaves of 
 bramble. 
 
 Phragmidium mucronatum (Bose Brand), on leaves of 
 dog rose. 
 
 Phragmidium bullatum, on dog rose twigs. 
 
 Puccinia striola (Sedge Mildew), on sedges and rushes. 
 
 Puccinia asparagi (Asparagus Brand), on dead stems of 
 asparagus. 
 
 Puccinia molinse (Molinia Brand), on molinea cerulea. 
 

 74 
 
 Puccinia coronata (Crowned Puccinia), on grasses. 
 Puccinia arundinacea (Reed Brand), on reeds. 
 
 Puccinia gramminis (Corn Mildew or Brand), on leaves 
 of corn or grass. 
 
 Puccinia straminis, on wheat, rye, &c. 
 
 Puccinia liniaris, on plialaris arundinacea. | 
 
 Puccinia luzulas (Luzula Brand), onluzula. 
 
 Puccinia truncata (Iris Brand) , on Iris fsetidissima. ■ 
 Puccinia polygonorum (Polygonum Brand). on 
 polygonum, 
 
 Puccinia clandestina (Scabius Brand), onscabiosa succisa / 
 
 ‘i 
 
 Puccinia campanulsB (Campanula Brand), on campanula. ' 
 Puccinia betonicae (Betony Brand), on stacbys 
 betonica. 
 
 Puccinia clinopodii, on clinopodium, 
 
 Puccinia mentbae (Mint Brand), on various mints. 
 Puccinia veronicarum (Veronica Brand), on veronica. 
 Puccinia tbesii (Bastard-toadflax Brand), on tbesium 
 bumifusam. 
 
 Puccinia amphibii, on polyginum ampbibium. 
 
 Puccinia vaginalium (Knotgrass Brand), on polyginum 
 aviculare. 
 
 Puccinia bistortae, on leaves of polyganum viviparum. 
 
75 
 
 iccinium primulse (Primrose Brand), on primrose leaves 
 uccinia glechomatis (Ground-ivy Brand), on glechomata 
 hederacea. 
 
 accinia scorodinise (Woodsage Brand), on leaves of 
 woodsage. 
 
 uccinia malvacearum, on mallow and hollyock leaves, 
 'uccinia vincae (Perry winkle Brand) on vinca major, 
 'uccinia valentiae (Crosswort Brand), on galium 
 cruciatum. 
 
 ^uccinia variabilis (Variable Brand), on dandelion. 
 J^uccinia bieracii, on picris, &c. 
 
 Puccinia tanaceti, on tanacetum vulgar e. 
 
 Puccinia tripolii, on aster tripoliam. 
 
 Puccmia cirsii (Scatter ed-tbistle Brand), on leaves of 
 cirsium. 
 
 Puccinia glomorata (Eagwort Brand), on senecea 
 Jacoboea. 
 
 Puccinia discoidearum (Southern- wood Brand), on 
 artemisia maratima. 
 
 Puccinia syngenesiarum (Thistle Brand), on leaves of 
 thistle. 
 
 Puccinia vergaurese (Golden-rod Brand), on solidago 
 
 vargaurea. 
 
76 
 
 Puccinia Andersoni, on enicus heterophyllus. 
 
 Puccinia lapsana, on lapsana communis. 
 
 Puccinia centaureas, on centaurea. 
 
 Puccinia millifolii, on achillea millifolium. 
 
 Puccinia senecionis, on senecio aquatica. 
 
 Puccinia gahorum (Bedstraw Brand), on galium, &c. 
 Puccinia acuminata, on galum saxatile. 
 
 Puccinia heraclei (Hog-weed Brand), on heraclium. 
 Puccinia iEgopodii (Gout-weed Brand), on legopodium 
 podagraria. 
 
 Puccinia saniculie (Sanicle Brand), on sanicula Europ»a. 
 Puccinia pimpineilas, on pimpinella saxifraga. 
 
 Puccinia conii (Hemlock Brand), on certain umbellifera. 
 Puccinia anemones (Anemone Brand), on wood anemone. 
 Puccinia saxifragarum (Saxifrage Brand), on saxifraga 
 granulata. 
 
 Puccinia difformis (Goosegrass Brand), on galium 
 aparine. 
 
 Puccinium umbelliferarum (Pignut Brand), on umbel- 
 liferous plants, 
 
 Puccinia apii (Celery Brand), on leaves of celery. 
 
 Puccinia angelicae, on angelica sylvestris. 
 
 Puccinia bulbocastani, on bunium bulbocastanum. 
 
77 
 
 iccinia iEthusae, on ^thusse cynapium. 
 iccinia smyrnii (Alexander’s Brand), on smyrnium 
 olusatrum. 
 
 iccinia adoxa (Muschatel Brand), on adoxa 
 muschatellina. 
 
 iccinia fabae (Bean Brand), on Beans, 
 iccinia circae (Nigbt-shade Brand), on circae lutetiana. 
 iccinia epilobii (Willow-berb Brand), on epilobium. 
 iccinia umbilici (Pennywort Brand), on cotyledon 
 umbilicus. 
 
 iccinia spergulae, on spergula arvensis. 
 iccinia lychnidearum (Lychnis Brand), on lycbnidae. 
 uccinia violarum (Yiolet Brand), on wild violets, 
 iccinia calthae (Marsh Marigold Brand), on leaves of 
 calthe palustris. 
 
 uccinia chrysosplenii (Golden Saxifrage Brand), on 
 chrysosplenium oppositifolium. 
 
 ^uccinia noli-tangeris (Balsam Brand), on impatiens 
 noli- 1 anger e. 
 
 ^uccinia Fergussoni, on leaves of viola palustris. 
 
 ^uccinia moehringiae, on moehringia trinervis. 
 i^uccinia silenes, on silena inflata. 
 
 Puccinia rhodiolae (stonecrop Brand) , on sedum rhodiola. 
 
78 
 
 Puccinia pulverulenta (Great Willowherb Brand), o: 
 epilobium montanum and E. birsntum. 
 
 Puccinia prunorum (Plum tree Brand), on leaves o 
 plum trees. 
 
 Puccinia buxi (Box Brand), on leaves and stalks of box 
 
 Puccinia fallens (Vetcb Brand), on leaves of vici: 
 sepiurn. 
 
 Uromyces sparsa (Sandwort Rust) on spergularia rubra 
 
 Uromyces graminum (Coltsfoot Rust), on dactylii 
 glomerata. 
 
 Uromyces polygon! (Knotgrass Rust), on polygonuir 
 aviculare. 
 
 Uromyces intrusa (Ladies’ Mantle Rust), onalcbimilb 
 vulgaris. 
 
 Uromyces bebenis, on bladder champion. 
 
 Uromyces betoe, on betoe vulgaris. 
 
 Uromyces geranii (Geranium Rust), on leaves o; 
 geranium. 
 
 Uromyces ficariac (Pilewortb Rust), on ranunculus 
 ficaria. 
 
 Uromyces apiculosa (Sbort-stem’d Rust), on dock, &c. 
 
 Uromyces ulmariac (Golden Rust), on spirea ulmarias. 
 
 Uromyces alliorum (Garlic Rust), on allium. 
 
79 
 
 Jromyces appendiculata (Long-stem’ d Eust), on 
 leguminosae, &c. 
 
 [Jromyces limonii (Sea Lavender Bust,) on statice 
 limonium. 
 
 [Jromyces scropliulariac (Figwort Eustj, on scrophularia 
 aquatica. 
 
 Uromyces concomitans, on scrophularia nodosa. 
 
 Uromyces excavata, on euphorbia exigua. 
 
 Uromyces junci, (Eush Eust), on rushes. 
 
 Uromyces concentrica, (Hyacinth Eust), on wild 
 hyacinth. 
 
 Uredo hypericorum (St. Johns’ Wort Uredo), on 
 hyperica. 
 
 Uredo Filicum (Fern Uredo), on cystopteris fragilis and 
 other ferns. 
 
 Uredo potentillarum (Potentilla Uredo), on rose leaves 
 .and stalks. 
 
 Uredo pustulata (Willow Herb Uredo), on epilohium 
 palustre. 
 
 Uredo saxifragarum (Saxifrage Uredo), on saxifrages. 
 
 Uredo alliorum (Garlic Uredo), on allium. 
 
 Uredo caryophyllacearum (Stitchwort Uredo), on 
 various caryophyllaceae. 
 
80 
 
 Uredo prophyroginata (Bird Cherry Uredo), on prudus 
 padus. 
 
 Uredo quercus (Oak Uredo), on oak leaves. 
 
 Uredo vacciniorum (Bilberry Uredo), on bilberry leaves 
 
 Uredo orchidis (Orchis Uredo), on orchis, &c. 
 
 Uredo confluens (Mercury Uredo), on mercurialis 
 perennis. 
 
 Uredo Euonymi (Spindle Uredo), on Euonymus 
 Europaeus. 
 
 Uredo Tropaoli (Nasturtium Uredo), on Tropaeolum 
 aduncum. 
 
 Uredo empetri (Growberry Uredo). on euonymus 
 Europffius. 
 
 Uredo bifrons (Twinfaced Uredo), on sorel. 
 
 Uredo circaea (Night Shade Uredo), on circaa lutetiana. 
 
 Uredo statices (Sea Lavender Uredo), on statice. 
 
 Coleosporium petasitis (Butterbur Bust), on tussilago 
 Petasites. 
 
 Coleosporium pingne (Tawny Rose Rust), on roses. 
 
 Coleosporium tussilaginis (Coltsfoot Rust) on tussilago. 
 
 Coleosporium miniatum (Orange Rose Rust), on wild 
 
 roses. 
 
81 
 
 oleosporium sonchi-arvensis (Sow Thistle Eust), on 
 sonchus. 
 
 oleosporium campanuloe (Campanula Eust), on various 
 campanula. 
 
 oleosporium Ehinanthacearum (Cow-wheat Eust), on 
 euphrasia officinalis, &c. 
 
 oleosporium symphyfci (Comfrey Eust), on comfrey. 
 oleosporium cacaliae, on leaves of cacalia. 
 oleosporium ochraceum (Agrimony Eust), on agrimonia 
 eupatoria. 
 
 oleosporium senecionis (Groundsel Eust), on various 
 groundsel. 
 
 jrstopus spinulosus (White Thistle Eust), on thistles. 
 7stopus cubicus (Goatsbeard White Eust), on 
 goatsbeard, &c. 
 
 ystopus candidus (Crucifer White Eust), on cabbage, 
 shepherd’s purse, &c. 
 
 ystopus lepigoni (Sandwort White Eust), on spergutaria 
 ecythea Eosse (Eose Eust), on rose leaves, 
 ecythea saliceti (Common Willow Eust), on willow 
 leaves. 
 
 ocythea ruborum (Bramble Eust), on bramble leaves, 
 ecythea poterii (Burnet Eust), onpoteriam sanguisorba 
 
 p 
 
82 
 
 Lecythea populina (Poplar Rust), on birch and poplar. 
 
 Lecythea mixta (Orange Willow Rust), on leaves c 
 willows. 
 
 Lecythea euphorbiae (Spurge Rust), on euphorbia, &c. 
 
 Lecythea epitea (Tawney Willow Rust), on unde 
 surface of willow leaves. 
 
 Lecythea lini (Flax Rust), on linum catharticum. 
 
 Lecythea Baryi (Be Barry’s Rust), on brachypodiur 
 pennatum. 
 
 Lecythea capraearum (Sallow Rust), on leaves of sallows 
 
 Lecythea Valerianae (Valerian Rust), on valerian 
 officinalis. 
 
 Lecythea gyrosa (Ringed Rust), on raspberry an( 
 bramble leaves. 
 
 Trichobosis cichoracearum (Hawkweed Rust), oi 
 thistles, &c. 
 
 Trichobasis caricina (Sedge Rust), on carex, &c. 
 
 Trichobasis pyrolae (Wintergreen Rust), on pyroL 
 rotundifole. 
 
 Trichobasis rubigo-vera (Round Corn Rust), on grasse 
 and corn. 
 
 Trichobases linearis (Long Corn Rust), on leaves o 
 corn, &c. 
 
83 
 
 ’ri^hobasis glumarum (Glume Rust), on glumes of 
 cereals. 
 
 Vichobasis petroselini (Parsley Rust), on umbellifera. 
 ’richobasis oblongata (Luzula Rust), on luzula. 
 ’richobasis artemisias (Mugwort Rust), on artimesia 
 vulgaris. 
 
 ’ricbobasis lycbnidearum (Chick-weed Rust), on 
 chickweed. 
 
 ’richobasis cirsii, on thistles. 
 
 Irichobasis angelicsB, on angelica. 
 
 Mchobasis Labiatarum (Mint Rust), on labiatae 
 'richobasis clinopodii, on clinopodium. 
 
 .'richobasis lapsana, on lapsana communis. 
 
 Mchobasis apii, on celery. 
 
 Irichobasis pimpinellaB, on pimpinella leaves. 
 
 Crichobasis conii, on conium. 
 
 ?richobasis cynapii, on aethusa cynapium. 
 
 Crichobasis rumicum, on rumex. 
 
 Crichobasis heraclei (Hogweed Rust), on heracleum. 
 Crichobasis betae (Beet-leaf Rust), on beet, 
 frichobasis impatientis, on leaves of impatiens. 
 Crichobasis umbellatarum, (Hemlock Rust), on 
 umbelliferae. 
 
84 
 
 Trichobasis hydrocotyles (Flukewort Bust), o; 
 
 hydrocotyle. 
 
 Trichobasis fabaB (Bean Rust), on bean leaves. 
 Trichobasis galii (Bedstraw RustJ, on galium. 
 Tricbobasi suaveolens (Thistle Rust), on thistle leaves. 
 Trichobasis vincae (Perri winkle Rust), on vinca major. 
 Trichobasis parnassiae (Parnassus Rust), on P. palustris 
 Trichobasis primulae (Primrose Rust), on primrose leaves 
 Trichobasis fallens (Clover Rust), on clover leaves. 
 Trichobasis polygonorum (Knotgrass Rust), on 
 
 aviculare, &c. 
 
 Trichobasis violarum (Violet Rust), on wild violets. 
 Trichobasis epilobii (Willow-herb Rust), o; 
 epilobium, &c. 
 
 Trichobasis iridis (Iris Rust) , on iris foetidissima. 
 Peronospora interstitialis, on primrose leaves 
 Peronospora sparsa (Rose Mould), on rose leaves. 
 Peronospora sordida (Figwort Mould), on scrophularia. 
 Peronospora schleideniana, on allium. 
 
 Peronospora calotheca, on galium. 
 
 Peronospora trifoliorum (Clover Mould), on lucern. 
 Peronospora hyoscyama (Henbane Mould), on commoi 
 henbane. 
 
85 
 
 J^eronospora ficarise (Figwort Mould), on ranunculus 
 ficaria. 
 
 ^eronospora violsB (Violet Mould), on wild violets. 
 
 ^eronospora arenariae (Sandwort Mould), on various 
 plants. 
 
 ^eronospora parasitica (Cabbage Mould), on crucifers 
 
 ^eronospora pygmaea (Anemone Mould), on wood 
 anemone. 
 
 i^eronospora infestans (Potato Blight), on leaves of 
 potato. 
 
 ?eronospora gangliformis (Lettuce Mould), on composite 
 plants. 
 
 Pernospora nivea (Parsnip Mould), on umbelliferae 
 
 Pernospora viciae (Pea Mould), on peas, &c. 
 
 Pernospora effusa (Spinach Mould), on goosefoot, &c. 
 
 Pernospora urticae (Nettle Mould), on leaves of nettles. 
 
 Pernospora Lamii (Dead Nettle Mould), on lamium 
 rubrum. 
 
 Peronospora entospora (Flebane Mould), on erigeron. 
 
 Peronospora grisea (Veronica Mould), on veronica. 
 
 Peronospora arborescens (Poppy Mould), on corn 
 poppy 
 
 Peronospora violacea (Scabius Mould), on violet. 
 
86 
 
 Peronospora Candida (Primrose Mould), on leaves of 
 primrose. 
 
 Pernospora obliqua (Dock Mould) on sorrel, &c. 
 Peronospora rufibasis, on leaves of myrica gale. 
 
I 
 
 - t 
 
PLATE I. 
 
EXPLAI^ATIOIT OF PLATES. 
 
 PLATE I. 
 
 f'igure 1 is a representation of the usually scattered 
 positions assumed by the Goatsbeard Clustercups 
 {^cidium Tragopogonis). When infested it is usually 
 found that nearly every leaf of the plant is thus 
 spotted over with the fungus. The Clustercups are 
 bright orange in colour. The Anemone Clustercups 
 {jEcidiitm leucospermum) possess a similar arrangement 
 of the cups, but they are chiefly aggregated towards the 
 edges of the leaves, and are, when growing on the 
 leaf, a pure white. This scattered arrangement is 
 found in Mcidium Epilohii^ and numerous other 
 clustercups. In Eanunculus Clustercups the cups are 
 collected in more or less rounded patches, as is also 
 
88 
 
 the case with the Berberry Clustercups. In nettles, 
 and some other plants, the parasite attacks the stalks, 
 and has an injurious effect upon the sap, when the 
 stalks become swollen and distorted. Other and 
 various arrangements of position of clustercups on 
 plants will be met with by the student. 
 
 Figure 2 represents a side view of two clustercups of 
 Mcidium leucospermicm. This view can easily be ob- 
 tained by cutting a section across the leaf. In the 
 Berberry clustercup the fungus is much more elongated. 
 The various species differ considerably as to what may 
 be called the height to which they grow. 
 
 Figure 3 represents a section of jEcidium Grossularm 
 from my cabinet, an admirable preparation by John 
 Barrow, Esq., of Manchester. The cup is partially 
 open, and spores are rising to escape. We see but 
 comparatively few spores, as doubtless a large 
 quantity of them would escape during the preparation 
 of the object. 
 
 Figure 4. This represents the position of Rcestelia 
 coi'fiuta, as seen upon the leaf of the mountain ash. 
 Other species of Rcestelia vary as to the position they 
 assume on the plant. The one on the hawthorn 
 
89 
 
 (RcBstelia lacerata) generally distorts the smaller 
 twigs. 
 
 Figure 5 represents a fragment of Peronospora infestans, 
 copied from a slide in my cabinet. The spores of the 
 different members of the genus differ somewhat as to 
 the mode of their arrangement, as also in size and 
 shape. 
 
 Figure 6 represents ^risiphe lamprocmpa, a fungus 
 found upon various plants, amongst them Salsify, 
 Scorzonera and Plantain. It belongs to a very in- 
 teresting group of microscopic plants, with radiating 
 appendages, all worthy of careful study, and some of 
 singular beauty. 
 
 Figure 6x represents an ascus, or fruit-bearing vessel, 
 of Erysiphe lamprocarpa, with its two sporidia as 
 usually seen. 
 
90 
 
 PLATE II. I 
 
 j 
 
 Figure 1 represents the general appearance of Fuccinia j 
 grayninis (Corn Mildew), and it is not difficult to I 
 meet with on the culms and leaves of corn or grass. • ^ 
 Straw of the farmyard may frequently be found largely 
 infested with it. The writer has obtained his best 
 specimens from such straw. 
 
 Figure 2. Fuccinia Glechomatis (Ground-Ivy Brand). 
 
 It is to be found on various species of veronica. 
 
 Figure 3. Fuccinia coronata (Coronated Mildew, or 
 crowned puccinia.) It may be met with on various 
 grasses. The student, in his examination of this 
 fungus, must not expect all the spores to be crowned 
 as represented in the engraving, for frequently, 
 amongst a large mass of the spores, only a few will 
 thus be decorated. 
 
 Figure 4. Puccinia Anemones (Anemone Brand). Plen- 
 tiful in the season on the common wood anemone. 
 
 It is remarkable for being dotted over with minute, 
 protuberances. The two cells are nearly round. 
 
PLATE II. 
 
01 
 
 Figure 5. Triphragmiurn ulmarice (Meadow Sweet 
 Brand). This interesting compound fungus is de- 
 veloped upon the well-known meadow sweet {Spirea 
 ulmaria) in autumn. 
 
 Figure 6. Phraymidium hulhosum (Bramble Brand). 
 The spores grow upon the leaves of the bramble in 
 tufts, and are usually four-septate. 
 
 Figure 7. Phragmidium gracile (Easpberry Brand). 
 Grows in small tufts chiefly upon the leaves of the 
 wild raspberry, and occasionally on the cultivated 
 plant. 
 
 Figure 8 . Zenodochus carbonarius (Burnet Chain Brand). 
 Composed of a string of articulations of about ten or 
 twelve in number, occasionally several more. In 
 certain districts it is annually met with in plenty on 
 the larger Burnet Sanqiiisorba officinalis » 
 
 Figure 9. Trichohasis ruhigo-vera (Corn Bust), in its 
 young condition ; afterward the small stalk or 
 peduncle becomes detached. 
 
 Figure 10. Uromyces alliorum (Garlic Bust). The 
 peduncle is of considerable length, and this is a 
 general characteristic of the various species of the 
 TJromyces, 
 
92 
 
 Figure 11. ChcBtomium elatum (Straw Brittle Mould). 
 
 Very common on rotting straw. 
 
 Figure 12. Ascus of Nectria puUcaris (Blackish Nectria). 
 The central figure represents the organism in its 
 perfect condition, with its eight spores fully de- 
 veloped. 
 
 I think it is desirable I should notice, for the in- 
 formation of the reader, that the representation of spores 
 must be accepted as an approximation to their common 
 appearance, for it will be found in numerous cases that 
 they vary considerably in form and magnitude ; also 
 that with the spores for which he may be in search, as 
 for example say Piiccinia Vincce, he will probably find 
 numerous Ureda spores {I'richohasis Yinca) mixed up 
 with them on the same plant {Vinca major). This 
 characteristic of the fruit of micro -fungi prevails exten- 
 sively, and if borne in mind by the student in 
 his microscopic investigations, will aid him in arriving 
 at correct conclusions. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 27, line 7, 
 
 for leucospirmum, 
 
 read leiico^permum. 
 
 ,, 33, ,, 10, 
 
 )? 
 
 epilehii 
 
 ,, epilohii. 
 
 ,, 33, ,, 13, 
 
 5) 
 
 hirsuta 
 
 . , hirsutum. 
 
 „ 35, „ 25, 
 
 « 
 
 Budumia 
 
 Badhamia. 
 
 » 44, „ 8, 
 
 
 gramminis 
 
 „ graminis 
 
 )? v 2, 
 
 - 
 
 gramminis 
 
 ,, graminis. 
 
 „ 55, „ 19, 
 
 
 Spheroholus 
 
 ,, Splicer oholm.