852 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



The brown leaf spot of colt's foot, F. A. Wolf {Ann. MycoL, 10 (1012), 2V'o. i, 

 pp. 65-67, fig. 1 ) . — ^A study has been made of the leaf spot disease of colt's foot 

 {Tussilago farfara), which is caused by RamuJaria hruiwca. This disease is 

 prevalent about Ithaca, N. Y., in the late summei', causing the formation of 

 large characteristic brown spots on the leaves. 



A study was made of the fungus, and its different stages were worlced out. 

 It wjis found to be associated with SplKcrrlla tiiKsilaginis, and since the asciger- 

 ous and eouidial stages of the fungus have not been previously connected, a com- 

 plete description of it is given. 



The development and cytology of Khodochytrium, 11. F. Griggs (Bot. Gaz., 

 53 (1912), No. 2, pp. 127-173, pis. 6).— The results are given of a study on B. 

 spilanthidis, a parasite of ragweed, reported upon by Atkinson in 1908 (E. S. R., 

 20, p. 550). 



This parasite has been reported in 3 widely separated regions. It has been 

 considered by some as an alga, but it has no chlorophyll and is strictly parasitic 

 in its mode of life, being limited, however, to definite host species. The author 

 states that if it be classed simply on definition, Rhodochytrium would be in- 

 cluded among the fungi, but if from a consideration of its relationships, its near- 

 est affinities are with the algpe. 



A detailed comparison is made between this parasite and Synchytrium, which 

 it resembles in some respects but to which it is not believed to be closely related. 



Tree diseases due to fungi, C. O. Farquh arson (Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1911, 

 No. 80, pp. 2'fO-2Ji2). — Notes are given on a number of tree diseases due to 

 fungus parasites that have been recently observed in the vicinity of Aberdeen, 

 Scotland. Tbese include the yew leaf scorch due to Splucrnlina taxi, and 

 diseases of Douglas fir attributed to Sclerotinia fuckeliana, Phnma pithya, and 

 Sclerodcrris livida. The latter fungus appears hitherto to have been reported 

 only as a saprophyte, but it was observed doing considerable damage on trees 

 from 15 to 20 years old. The lower part of the stem for distances of 2 or 3 ft. 

 in some cases was completely covered by a dense brownish mycelium, which 

 disappeared later in the season, and was succeeded by abundant apothecia. 



In addition notes are given on the rust of alders due to Melampsora hctulina, 

 attacks of the black poplar (Populus nigra) by Taphrina aurca, and of the 

 white pine by Hypodcrma stroMcola. 



A disease of pine due to Hypodermella, T. Lagerberg (Meddel. Stat. 

 SkogsforsoJcsanst. (Mitt. Forstl. Veis. Anst. Schwedens), 1910, No. 7, pp. 127- 

 17Ii-\-XVII-XXn, figs. U; ahs. in Riv. Patol. Vcf^., 5 (1011), No. 3, p. 35; 

 Ztschr. Pfianzenkrank., 22 (1912), No. 1, pp. ^6, //7). — A description is given 

 of a leaf disease of Pinus sylvestris due to H. siilcigena. This fungus is said 

 to present pycnidia indistinguishable from those of Hcndersonia acicola, the 

 cause of a leaf disease in Germany. The author is inclined to believe that the 

 species of Lophodermium should also be referred to this genus. 



A new crytogamic disease of pine, M. Doroguine (Bui. Trimest. Soc. Mycol. 

 France, 27 (1911). No. 1, pp. 105, 106, fig. 1). — This is a brief account of a dis- 

 ease of Pinus montana alleged to be caused by a new species of fungus herein de- 

 scribed under the name Cytosporina septospora n. sp. The organism attacks the 

 needles parasitically, causing spots of discoloration which cover from one-fourth 

 to one-half of the leaf surface, due to the presence of the fungus in the leaf 

 tissue. 



Disease of Pinus strobus due to liophodermium brachysporum, G. Fron 

 (Bui. Trimest. Soc. Mycol. France, 27 (1911). No. 1, pp. V/--}6, fig. 1).—A brief 

 account is given of a leaf-fall disease of the pine claimed to be now first 

 reported in France and ascribed to the fungus named. This is said to produce 

 black spots on the fresh needles of young pine seedlings, causing them to turn 



