658 EXPERIMENT STATION BECOED. [Vol. 87 



The author states that whether near the basal portions of the larger roots 

 or at the collar and above that region, necrosis of the cortical tissue is a phe- 

 nomenon secondary to the death of the cambium. The former portion showed 

 at first no microorganisms, but these could be demonstrated by means of the 

 microscope and sometimes by means of culture methods in the cambium, sap- 

 wood, and heartwood. It appears that the rapidly progressing primary infec- 

 tion is independent of the deeper fungi, which are probably secondary. The in- 

 fection, which proceeds up the trunk, appears to have its origin at the collar. 



The primary infection in black canker of chestnut, L. Petri {Atti R. 

 Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 25 {1916), II, A'o. 12, pp. 

 499-501, figs. 2). — More recent study by Improved methods confirms the obser- 

 vations above noted regarding the phases or stages of black canker of chestnut. 

 The attack originates near the junction of the roots and trunk. The identity 

 of the primarily causal fungus remains unknown. 



Leaf cast in horse chestnut, L. MoNTEMABrrNi {Riv. Patol. Veg., 7 (1915), 

 No. 8-9, pp. 243-248). — This is a discussion of the factors involved in the early 

 shedding of leaves by horse chestnut, including foliar surface and branching 

 as related to transpiration surface and conduction. The author states that the 

 number of conducting elements is the same as that of actively transpiring ele- 

 ments, both increasing in number with the amount of branching. 



A needle blight of Douglas fir, J. R. Weib (C^ S. Dept. Agr., Jour. Agr. Re- 

 search, 10 {1911), No. 2, pp. 99-104, pi. 1, figs. S). — A description is given of a 

 serious di-sease of Douglas fir which is causing damage to young trees and 

 seedlings in the Northwest both in the nursery and the forest. A study of the 

 disease indicates that it is due to a fungus, the systematic position of which has 

 not been definitely determined. 



Some preliminary experiments in spraying with a solution of soap and Bor- 

 deaux mixture give Indications that this will prove a successful means of con- 

 trolling the fungus. 



[White pine blister rust in Canada], H. T. GiJssow {Canad. Forestry Jour., 

 IS {1917), No. 1, pp. 900-906, figs. 6). — In this article, which has been issued also 

 in pamphlet form, a brief popular account is given of the Importation of the 

 American 5-leave(l pine (Pinus ttrobus) into Europe, its attack there by the 

 blister rust fungus, the Importation of the latter into America on seedlings, 

 and the spread of the disease to such an extent that this pine and all the inter- 

 ests connected with it are seriously threatened. A plea is made for concerted 

 action looking to the control of this disease. Eradication of all currant and 

 gooseberry plants in the neighborhood of the pines is the remedy which is 

 offered with most confidence. 



White pine blister rust on currants, W. A. McCubbin {Canad. Hort., 40 

 {1917), No. 2, p. 34. fig- 1). — Certain features observed in the Ontario outbreak 

 of white pine blister rust suggest that the fungus may overwinter on currant 

 bushes. Besides the large area on the Niagara Peninsula previously known to 

 be infected, the disease occurred, so far as known, only in small isolated patches 

 in Ontario in localities which are named. The disease has also been reported 

 from Quebec. The appearance and behavior of the disease on both white pine 

 and currant are briefly described. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



A check list of mammals of the North American continent, the West 

 Indies, and the neighboring seas, D. G. Elliot {Pubs. Field Columb. Mus. 

 [Chicago], Zool. Ser., 6 {1905), pp. V+761, pi. 1; Sup., New York: Aincr. Mu9. 

 Ifat. Hist., 1917, pp. IV+192). — The check list proper is supposed to include all 



