ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 683 



the species composing the genus require farther examination. Odontia 

 is preoccupied by Odontia Pers., and the name Etheirodon is chosen as a 

 substitute. Neokneiffia is now used instead of Kneiffia, the latter name 

 having been given to a genus of Epilobiaceae. Pycnodon was also pro- 

 posed for this genus. The writer thinks that there are several names 

 of genera that, with more advanced knowledge, will be found to be 

 synonyms. 



Crystalloids of the Basidiomycetes.* — Cb. Van Bambeke discovered 

 crystalloids in tbe mycelium of Lepiota meleagris, and at a later date in 

 L. cepsestipes. He then proceeded to examine all the sections of the 

 higher fungi that were within his roach, and came to tlie conclusion that 

 tbe presence of crystalloids is the rule in the Hymeuomycetes and 

 Gasteromycetes. Tbey occur in the vegetative part as well as in the 

 carpophore, and are more or less numerous according to the genus or 

 species. Tbey are usually in large numbers in tbe stalk and in tbe 

 vegetative parts. They become fewer in the hymenial tissue. The 

 crystalloids have the appearance of a regular rhomb, but they are some- 

 times spherical and also intermediate in form. The author considers 

 them to be reserve material rather than products of degeneration. This 

 view is supported by tbe fact of tbe gradual diminution in size of these 

 bodies in tbe tissue bordering on tbe hymenium, as if this substance 

 were being gradually used up in spore-production. A series of tables 

 give the results of his examination in graphic form, and the hyphae 

 containing the crystalloids are figured. 



Silver-leaf Disease.f — J. Percival finds that this disease of Prunus 

 is due to a fungus in the roots. It is characterised by a peculiar grey 

 appearance of the leaves, though no fungus is present in the leaves, nor, 

 as a rule, in the stem or branches. In all the cases of disease examined 

 the tissues of the root were found to be permeated with fine hyphie, 

 and in one case tbe fruiting bodies of Stereum purpureum were found on 

 a branch of a tree affected with silver-leaf. On inoculating healthy trees 

 with Stereum the disease was again produced. The author is of opinion 

 that the fungus secretes an oxidase which in a short time pervades the 

 branches and leaves, and causes by its action the silvery look on the 

 leaves. The affected trees produce little or no fruit, and are always 

 sickly and unprofitable. 



Spanish Lichens.} — M. Llenas y Fernandez publishes a list of 

 lichens (58 species and 9 varieties) gathered in the environs of Barcelona, 

 and calls attention to the neglect with which the Spanish Cryptogams, 

 and especially tbe Lichens, have been treated. 



Contribution to the Lichen Flora of Emilia. § — Carlo Zanfrognini 

 gives a first instalment of his list of lichens from Emilia, that district 

 in the north of Italy which includes the provinces of Piaceuza, Parma, 

 Reggio, Modena, Bologna, Forli, Ferrara, and Ravenna, representing a 

 very varied country of mountain and plain. The Sylloge Lichenum 

 ltalicorum, published in 1900 by A. Jatta, embraces the whole of Italy ; 



* Bull. Classe Sci. Acad. Koy. Belg., No. lv. (1902) pp. 227-50 (1 pi.), 



t Journ. Linn. 8oc. (Bot.), xxxv. (1902) pp. 390-5 (1 pi. and 5 figs.). 



j Bolet. Socied. Espaii. Hist. Nat, ii. (1902) pp. 207-11. 



§ Nuov. Gioru. Bot. Ital., ix. (1902) pp. 190-211. 



