I 



ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 185 



Parasite of Arbutus Unedo. — J. Dufrenoy {Bull. Soc. MijcoJ. 

 France, 1918, 34, 99-100) detected circular dried spots on the leaves 

 of Arbutus, on which grew scattered perithecia with simple ovoid colour- 

 less ascospores. Dufrenoy considers that it may be a new species of 

 Ouignardia, or perhaps a form of G. Vaccinu. A. L. S. 



Ergots of Rye on Wheat. — J. Chifflot {BuJL Soc. Mycol. France, 

 1918, 34, 192-4:, 1 pi.) calls attention to the presence of ergots on 

 Manitoba wheat. The wheat has been recently introduced into France, 

 and is known to be remarkably free from parasites. Chifflot considers 

 the fungus to be a form of Claviceps 'purpurea, and probably only newly 

 introduced into France. A. L. S. 



Cane-Leaf Spot. — A disease of sugar-canes resulting in spots on the 

 leaves has been investigated by P. Van dbr Bijl {Union of 8. Africa 

 Deft, of Agric. Sci. Bull., No. 10, 1918, 1-16, 7 figs.). He isolated the. 

 fungus that was causing the trouble, and found that it approached very 

 near to Gercospora Sncchari. He grew the fungus in culture media, 

 and he also inoculated healthy leaves. Full details are given of the 

 various experiments. A. L. S. 



Disease of Chestnuts. — Giovanni Briosi and Rodolfo Farnete 

 {Atti 1st. Bot. Univ. Pavia, 1918, Ser. 2, 15, 43-51, 1 fig.), reply to 

 criticisms by Griffon and Maublanc on their researches of the chestnut 

 ink-disease. The criticism had reference chiefly to the identity of the 

 fungi causing the disease. Briosi and Farnete insist on the correctness 

 of their determination that Melanconis pernicioswn is distinct from 

 31. modonia. The whole question is fully discussed. 



In a later paper {Atti 1st. Bot. Univ. Pavia, 1918, Ser. 2, 15, 

 323-30) the authors describe the various stages of attack by tbe 

 disease ; that trees of all ages, even seedlings, may be infected. They 

 repeat that the evil is due to fungi, and not to soil conditions or to 

 root trouble. A. L. S. 



Spoilage of Cranberries after Harvest. — This subject has been 

 investigated by C. L. Shear, JSTeil E. Stevens, R. B. Wilcox, and 

 B. A. Rudolph {U.S. Dept. Agric. Bull, No. 714, 1918, 1-20), as large 

 quantities of berries are produced in the States, and about 15 p.c. of the 

 crop is lost between the field and the consumer. The spoilage may be 

 the result of several causes, but at least half the damage is done by fungi. 

 The chief rots which develop after picking are : early rot, Guignardia 

 Vaccina ; end-rot, Fiisicocciim putrefaciens ; bitter-rot, GlomereUa cingu- 

 lata Vaccina ; ripe-rot, Sporonema Oxycocci ; blotch-rot, Acanthorhgnchus 

 Vaccina ; and soft-rot, Penicillium sp. The writers deduce from their 

 observations the necessity for spraying to prevent fungus infection, 

 especially in early stages of growth ; careful handling and picking of the 



fruit ; and cool conditions during packing, storage, etc. A. L. S. 



• 



Investigations on the Narcissus Disease.— This very serious disease 



of Narcissus bulbs was ascribed for some time to the attack of a soil 



fungus, Fusarium hulbigenum. An investigation carried out by J. K. 



Ramsbottom {Journ. Rog. Hort. Soc, 1918, 43, 51-G4, 10 pis.) has 



