758 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD, 



Epidemic of oak mildew, F. W. Negek {Nuturtc. Ztschr. Forst it. Lditilic, 

 6 (J'JOS), yo. 11, Jill. .')S9-.5.'f.i). — An account is given showing tlie widespread 

 epidemic of mildew of oaks in Enroi)e during the summer of 1908, and tbe rela- 

 tion of tbe conidial stage of tbe mildew to tbe perfect form is discussed. A 

 note by K. von Tubeuf describes briefly tbe occurrence of tbe mildew in 

 Bavaria. 



Notes on some new diseases of Coniferae, A. W. Borthwick (Trnus. and 

 I'roc. Bot. ,S'oc. Edinb., 23 (1907), pt. 3, pt). 232, 233). — Tbe autbor describes a 

 new disease of Picca pungens, due to a fungus wbicb attacks tbe buds and pro- 

 duces large black, conical swellings in wbicb tbe fruiting bodies of tbe fungus 

 occur. Tbe bud is eitber immediately destroyed, or it may produce a niucb 

 twisted cankered shoot which frequently dies at an early period. Tbe charac- 

 teristics of the fungus are said to resemble those of tbe various Cucurbitaria. 



The second disease described is one of Abies pcctinata. In this case the fun- 

 gus belongs apparently to the Ascomycetes and it affects the leaves of the 

 current year's growth. At first they become light brown in color and finally 

 dark brown. At tbe maturity of tbe fungus the fructifications appear as small 

 black, spherical swellings on the infested leaves. This fungus has caused con- 

 siderable damage to tbe species mentioned above. 



As yet neither of the fungi has been definitely determined and they are to be 

 tbe subject of further investigation. 



Annual report of the literature on plant diseases, M. Hollrung et al. 

 (Johnshrr. Pflnnzcnknnik., !) (1!)06), pp. ] III +298). —This report, published 

 in 190S, reviews the literature which appeared in 1906 relating to plant diseases 

 and insect pests, about I.SOO jiapers being noted by title or abstract. The gen- 

 eral groupings of the literature are general plant pathology and pathological 

 anatomy, special pathology, plant hygiene, and methods for plant protection, 

 The detailed arrangement and method of treatment of topics are similar to 

 those in previous reports (E. S. It.. 18, p. 746). 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



The zoological record. 1>. Shakp (Zool. Rcc, ',3 (1906), pp. 7.3'/.S).— This 

 volume contains tbe usual classified bibliographies covering the literature re- 

 lating to all branches of zoology published during 1906, and in addition entries 

 for 1901-1905 wbicb were received too late for inclusion in tbe previous volume 

 (E. S. R., 18, p. 1058). 



A study of the pocket gopher, J. C. Dare (Orchard and Farm, S (190S), 

 No. '). p. J I, fin. 1). — A brief account of tbe habits and economic importance of 

 the ]iocket go])ber. 



Rats and their animal parasites, A. E. Shipley (Jour. Econ. Biol., 3 (1908), 

 No. 3, pp. 61-83). — Following a discussion of the habits and economic impor- 

 tance of rats, a complete list is given of all parasites, both ectoparasites and 

 endoparasites, of wbicb rats are known to serve as hosts. 



The leprosy-like disease among rats on the Pacific coast, AV. B. Wherry 

 (.four. Amcr. Med. Assoc., 50 (1908), No. 23, p. 1903).— Ont of over 30,000 rats 

 examined 2 were found to be ill of a leprosy-like disease due to acid-fast 

 bacilli. Both specimens were large female rats (Mus dectimanus). A note is 

 appended stating that since tbe above report was written a male and female 

 of tbe same species have also been found affected with the disease. From the 

 male was taken a single flea (Ccratopln/llns fai^cidtiis). This flea was ground 

 up on a slide and stained by the tubercle method, but contained no acid-proof 

 bacilli. 



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