The Scottish Naturalist. 133 



Conference at Dumfries, on the nth, 12th, and 13th of Sep- 

 tember last. Owing to local circumstances, the Society had to 

 meet thus early in the season — too early, as had been anticipated, 

 for the Mycologists. 



At the business meeting, after the transaction of ordinary busi- 

 ness, the President, Dr. Gilchrist, delivered his annual address, in 

 which he dwelt chiefly on fossil Cryptogams. The following 

 papers were then read : — 



1. "Hetercecism in the Uredines," by Professor J. W. H. 

 Trail. Our readers will find this in the last and present numbers 

 of the Naturalist. 



2. " Hetercecism of Leaf Fungi," by Mr. R. Turner. The 

 Author referred to recent discoveries, and described some of the 

 instances in which hetercecism seems clearly established by ex- 

 periment and observation, such as the relationship between the 

 Cluster-cap of the Barberry and the rust and mildew of wheat, and 

 that between Rcestelia cornuta on the Mountain ash, and Gym- 

 nosporangium on Juniper. He then dwelt upon the advantages 

 which hetercecism affords in the life-history of these parasitic plants, 

 and upon the advantages which an accurate knowledge of their 

 relationships would afford in enabling us to check their ravages. 



3. " On the Fungus of the Potato disease," by Mr. T. King. 

 After giving a short life-history of the potato mould, Pero?iospora 

 infcstans, and expressing the belief that faulty methods of cultiva- 

 tion, continued through many generations, have enfeebled the 

 constitution of the potato plant, and rendered it less able to resist 

 the attacks of parasitic fungi, Mr. King gave interesting details 

 of experiments with potatoes which he had procured from Chili, 

 where the methods of cultivation differ materially from those 

 which are common in this country, and where the disease is 

 unknown. The results were very varied. The plants grew luxuri- 

 antly, but did not prove to be disease-resisting. These tubers were 

 from the south of Chili, where the climate resembles that of 

 Britain. Mr. King also stated that he had this year received 

 tubers of another variety from North Chili. These gave promise 

 of a good crop ; but it was too early when he wrote to ascertain 

 how far they would be capable of resisting disease. He had, how- 

 ever, observed the spots on the leaves, which showed the presence 

 of Peronospora infestans. Specimens of the Chilian potatoes were 

 exhibited. 



4. Lists of Mosses, Lichens, and Hepaticse found in Kirkcud- 

 brightshire, were laid before the Society by Mr. James M 'Andrew. 

 The list of Mosses numbers 250 species, exclusive of varieties; 

 that of Lichens, 198 species; and that of Hepaticae, 75 species. 

 These lists, containing rare and interesting species, form a most 

 valuable addition to the Cryptogamic Flora of the south of Scot- 

 land. 



The public exhibition of Cryptogams far surpassed expecta- 



