130 The Irish Naturalist. Aug. -Sept., 



NOTES, 



BOTANY. 



Chrysomyxa abietis in Ireland. 



On May 15th, 1918, Sir Frederick Moore sent me a specimen of Spruce 

 from Kilmacurragh, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, affected with a form of 

 " rust " on the needles which, on microscopic examination, turned out 

 to be Chrysomyxa abietis Wallr. The " Needle Rust " of the Spruce 

 is common in Switzerland and in Germany, but in the British Isles 

 it was not until 191 1 that it was first discovered by Dr. Somerville in 

 Scotland. According to Borthwick and Wilson {Trans. R. Scott. Arbor. 

 Sac. vol. xxix., July, 1915, p. 187) this rust has spread considerably in 

 Scotland in recent years. Lately it has also been recorded [Quart. Journ. 

 Forestry, vol. xi., 3, July, 1917, p. 191) for the north of England (North- 

 umberland). Sir Frederick Moore's specimen is the first that has been 

 observed in Ireland, and it seems desirable to record the first appearance 

 of this parasitic fungus in Ireland in the pages of the Irish Naturalist. 



George H. Pethybridge. 

 Royal College of Science, Dublin. 



The Poisonous Properties of Oenanthe crocata. 



In Nature for July 4 the question of the poisonous properties of the 

 Water Dropwort is discussed, based on an observation communicated 

 by C. B. Moffat to the effect that cattle in Co. Wexford were observed 

 eating this plant without any injury resulting. It is pointed out that 

 according to most authorities the plant is highly poisonous to cattle, as 

 witnessed by numerous cases, but that at the same time well-confirmed 

 observations exist of no ill effect following eating of the plant. It would 

 seem that the plant is a dangerous poison in some districts, but not in 

 others ; and, as the Editor of Nature very properly observes, there is 

 here a very interesting problem requiring investigation. 



ZOOLOGY. 

 Black Terns on Lough Carra, Co. Mayo. 



On September 2nd (1918), when fishing on Lough Carra, I observed 

 two Black Terns flying low and at no great speed at a short distance 

 from the boat ; the white undertail coverts being clearly visible. The 

 birds were flying in a south westerly direction. 



W. Ruttledge. 

 HoUymount, Co. Mayo, 



