GOOSEBERRY-MILDEWS in 



a hold and become dispersed over the country. In the 

 United States of America good results have been found to 

 follow spraying the bushes with a solution of sulphide of 

 potassium, in the proportion of ^ oz. in one gallon of water ; 

 but this treatment has not been found equally beneficial in 

 Europe ; and it is therefore not recommended as a trust- 

 worthy safeguard. 



The fungus is most conspicuous when it attacks the 

 berries, usually more severely on one side than on the other, 

 causing the fruit to become distorted from the attacked spots 

 ceasing to grow. At first the spots are pale, being covered 

 with a web of fungus-tubes, which becomes powdery from 

 the separation of the reproductive cells or conidia. Gradually 

 the web thickens, becomes rusty brown, and may be peeled 

 off the surface of the fruit. On the web there may be found 

 small black balls (perithecia), each bearing near its base a 

 number of long unbranched tubular cells or appendages, en- 

 tangled among the tubes of the web. Each perithecium 

 contains only one ascus, in which lie eight elliptical 

 ascospores. 



The fungus also grows on the young twigs and leaves, 

 usually making its first appearance on the terminal buds 

 while these are opening, and in severe attacks destroying 

 these parts, covering them with a growth similar to that on 

 the fruits. 



ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. 



Martens in N.-W. Highlands and Skye. Mr. John Smith, 

 forty years head-keeper of shootings in Sutherlandshire, reports to 

 me, under date of i ith December 1906, that "he was informed that 

 two Martens had recently been obtained, and that a litter of them 

 was seen last summer, so it appears they are not ail dead yet. I am 

 of opinion they must have come up from the shore." 



The above localities are in Sutherland and N.-W. Highlands. 

 I have before pointed out the recurrence of abnormal seasons of 

 plenty in several species of animals. The above appears to bear 

 out my remarks. But now we must also take into consideration 

 the great increase of protection given to many animals, by the 

 extension of deer forests, now almost continuous along our western 

 sea-board and across Scotland. 



