76 Rhodora [APRIL 
there is no prior record of it. The influence of the parasite on its host 
is well marked in various ways, as noted in the article above referred 
to, and is of a decidedly stimulating character as is shown by greatly 
increased growth of branchlets and leaves. In my specimens a further 
effect was shown by a decided change in the odor of the spruce leaves 
where this stimulated growth took place, or in other words where 
the mistletoe was found. When I first noticed a sweetish balsamic 
odor, far more resembling that of the Fir Balsam than that of the 
White Spruce, I felt that I had mistaken the identity of the host-plant. 
I found, however, that I had made no mistake, but that these White 
Spruce leaves no longer retained in any marked degree the disagree- 
able odor which has given the species the name of Cat, or Skunk 
Spruce. This modification of odor thus produced in the host by the 
parasite is very agreeable, and so marked as to be decidedly noticeable. 
This fact I verified by submitting specimens to a number of persons, 
all of whom reached this same conclusion. Some of them could not 
be convinced that the leaves from the infected and the uninfected 
trees were not those of different species. It may be added that some 
species of Arceuthobium have a decidedly balsamic odor, but this 
was not noticed in my specimens of A. pusillum.— EDWARD L. RAND, 
Boston. 
Vol. 9, no. 99, including pages 29 to 64, was issued 8 April, 1907. 
