Contribution to the Biology and History of the Development of the Ustilagineæ.

Abstract

THE section of Fungi to which the Ustilagines belong has occupied considerable attention from mycologists during the past quarter of a century. Old notions of the autonomy of species have been dispersed, and at the present time all the old genera are suspected, some are condemned, and not a few amalgamated. The present condition of the classification of the Uredinous Coniomycetes is eminently transitional; so much has been written, so many observations made that await confirmation, or require further researches to render the work complete, that no one would be rash enough to predict what another twenty years may accomplish towards settling the relations of the genera in this group to each other. From the vague notions and doubts of Unger's “Exantheme”in 1833, Leveille's researches in 1839, Tulasne's first memoir in 1847, De Bary's “Brandpilze”in 1853, Tulasne's second memoir in 1854, there has been a regular advance in the accumulation of observations and the record of facts up to the publication of Fischer von Waldheim's communication in 1869. The relations of Trichobasis to Puccinia, of some species of Lecythea to Melamfisora, of others to Phragmidium, are admitted on every hand; but whether Trichobasis, Puccinia, Uromyces, and Æcidium, shall all give way to an amalgamated genus, in which the four forms shall be recognised as four conditions of the same plant, though accepted by some, cannot yet be considered as settled beyond a doubt. The more sceptical of mycologists suspend their judgment, and await the confirmation of certain observations. Whatever the result may be, there can be but one opinion that such men as Tulasne, Leveille, De Bary, and others, deserve all commendation for the work they have accomplished. Whilst the Uredines Proper have suffered greatly in the stability of their generic distinctions, the Ustilaginous group has at present maintained its character for the autonomy of its species. Up to the present Tilletia, Ustilago, Thecaphora, and Urocystis, seem to represent comparatively stable genera. It is not impossible that this is more seeming than real, and that future workers may reveal affinities more close than as yet are suspected. The “contribution”of Fischer von Waldheim dates as far back as 1869, although now presented for the first time in an English dress, and we have to thank our Transatlantic cousins for having accomplished this fact. The New York State Agricultural Society is wise to diffuse this and all similar information amongst its members. None are more deeply interested in the development, conditions of growth, and metamorphisms (if any) of the “Smuts” than agriculturists, and to no societies should we look with more confidence for the publication of such memoirs as the present. How far they have accomplished this belongs to the past, and has become history; what they may do in the future lies within their own power. The memoir now published commences with a very good digest of the literature of the subject, after which follow the personal observations of the author on the mycelium and spore growth in Tilletia, Ustilago, and Urocystis. The synopsis of the Ustilagineae in relation to their supporting plants and the place of their spore formation will be very useful to students, as will also the counter-synopsis of the supporting plants, and the Ustilagineae occurring on them. The details of the germination of spores, direction and character of the promycelia, the effects ot moisture, light, &c, measurements of threads and spores, all combine to render this a useful contribution to the literature of the Smuts, although not containing any startling discoveries. It is just what it professes to be, the record of observations on the germination of the spores of several of the Ustilagines under artificial cultivation, as a supplement to Tulasne's memoir in which this history of development was deficient. It would have been an advantage had this “Contribution” made its appearance in the trade as a separate publication with a London publisher, at a fixed price, so that all persons interested in the subject in this country might have obtained copies, and recommended the work to their mycological, horticultural, and agricultural friends. Contribution to the Biology and History of the Development of the Ustilagineæ. By Dr. A. Fischer von Waldheim. Translated for the Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society for 1870. From “Pringsheim's Jahrbucher,” vol. ii. part 1, 2, 1869. (Albany, New York: 1872.)