ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 623 



photographic plates of the species, with descriptions of the European 

 specimens. These he divides into five sections : atropurpureum, gemina- 

 tum, pratense, polymorphum, and spadiceum. He finds that Lycoperdon 

 perJatum is identical with geminatum. Notes are added on several other 

 genera and species. Lloyd publishes again a request that puff-balls 

 should be sent to him by collectors. 



Experiments with Parasitic Fungi.f — W. Loewenthal has been 

 testing the effect of Plasmodiophora Brassicce and Synchytrium Taraxaci 

 on animal tissues. Both of these organisms cause great distortion on the 

 host-plants which they attack. Loewenthal's experiments gave negative 

 results. The organisms are highly specialised parasites, and do not 

 attack plants indiscriminately, much less animals. He describes in 

 detail the development of both fungi. 



Handbook of Plant Diseases.^ — P. Sorauer is bringing out a new 

 edition of his handbook with the assistance of G-. Lindau, who under- 

 takes the parasitic fungi, and L. Reh, who is to be responsible for the 

 part dealing with insect pests. Sorauer himself describes the diseases 

 due to inorganic influences such as soil, climate, smoke, etc. Two parts 

 have already been issued, the first dealing with disease, predisposition, 

 and cure. A history of plant diseases follows, and an account of the 

 harm wrought by unfavourable soil conditions. The second part treats 

 of parasitic fungi, beginning with myxomycetes, bacteria, and filamentous 

 fungi. 



Fungoid Diseases of the Cotton Plant.§ — Notes are published on 

 the occurrence of a root disease of cotton in German East Africa, caused 

 by a fungus Macosmospora vasinfecta and to be recognised by the dwarf- 

 ing of the plants and the yellowing of the leaves. The roots are attacked 

 when young, the mycelium penetrating the tissues and then spreading 

 all round the infected spots. Digging a trench round the area of diseased 

 plants is advised. A secondary harmless parasite Diplodia Gossypii was 

 also found on the roots, along with Phyllosticta gossypina. Altemaria 

 macrospora has been observed on the dead leaves : it is uncertain what 

 damage it causes. 



American Mycology.|| — A. P. Morgan writes a note on the genus 

 Gibellula, and describes a new species, found growing on small dead 

 insects. J. 0. Arthur f publishes the fifth of a series of reports on the 

 culture of plant rusts. Many of the cultures were undertaken to verify 

 work previously done, and were successful. In five cases secidial and 

 teleutosporic connections were established. Full details of these and of 

 the cultures are given ; the rusts were all hetercecious, and are reported 

 for the first time. W. A. Kellerman and P. L. Ricker* continue their 

 list of new genera of fungi published since 1900. 



* Zeitschr. Krebsf., iii. (1905) 16 pp., 1 pi. See also Ami. Mycol., iii. (1905) 

 p- 212. t P. Parey (Berlin, 1905) i. Lief 1, and ii. Lief 2. 



X Bull. Imp. Inst., iii. (1905) pp. 60-2. 



§ Journ. Mycol., xi. (1905) pp. 49-50. || Tom. cit., pp. 50-67. 



i Tom. cit., pp. 68-96. 



2 T 2 



