TREE DISEASES DUE TO FUNGI 241 



may not be the original cause of death. In one locality, 

 however (Drumtochty), it was observed lower down the 

 stems of plants about six years old, where the pycnidia 

 were developed abundantly on sunken patches of reddish 

 colour, as if the part had been scorched. In Drumtochty 

 another disease also was observed which appeared to be 

 doing some damage. It occurred on trees of about fifteen 

 to twenty years old. The lower part of the stem, from the 

 ground upwards for about two to three feet in some cases, 

 was covered by a dense brownish mycelium, which dis- 

 appeared later in the season, and was succeeded in late 

 autumn (of last year) by abundant pale yellowish white 

 apothecia, which later became pale brown. No record of 

 such a disease could be found ; and a specimen was sent to 

 Kew for identification. The fungus proved to be Sclero- 

 derris livida, Massee, which has hitherto been recorded only 

 as a saprophyte. 



iii. An outbreak, of a severe character, of rust on young 

 Alders (A. glutiuosa) was observed last summer and autumn 

 in a nursery at Aberdeen. The fungus proved to be 

 Mdainpsora betitlina, Pers. One-year-old plants only were 

 attacked ; and in no case was the rust observed on older 

 plants, though these were present in the nursery quite near 

 the attacked beds. The previous year the same beds had 

 been planted with young birch, which suffered so severely 

 from the fungus that they were thrown out. It is note- 

 worthy that though in this nursery, and in the large mixed 

 wood adjoining, species of Melampsora occur on several 

 trees, Birch, Willows, Aspen and other Poplars, and Alder, 

 6^0wtf-forms are practically unknown. In this connection 

 it is also interesting to note the entire absence of Pine- 

 blister (Peridermium) though Coleosporium Senedonis is one 

 of the commonest rusts round Aberdeen, even inside the 

 nurseries. 



iv. Near Murtle Hydropathic, in the grounds of a 

 private house, an interesting occurrence of Taphrina aurea, 

 Pers., was observed. This fungus is extremely prevalent on 

 Populus nigm in the district. It was also found on another 

 tree which Professor Trail found to be Populus balsamifera . 

 The effects of the parasite were identical with those on 

 80 E 



