ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 241 



Higher Fungi in Relation to Human Pathology. — Aldo Castel- 

 LANi {Journ. Troj). Med. and Hyg., 1920, 23, 101-10 ; 117-25, figs.). 

 Castellani has chosen tliis as the subject of the Milroy Lectures. He 

 sketches the history of our knowledge of the " higher fungi " as 

 contrasted with bacteria, describes the fungi likely to be pathogenic, 

 and gives an account of their chemical powers and the use that has been 

 made of them to determine the presence of various substances in a 

 solution. In the second lecture he describes cases of mycosis in (1) 

 thrush, (2) broncho-mycoses, (3) tonsillo-mycoses, (4) certain mycoses 

 of the nervous-system and organs of special sense, (5) certain mycoses 

 of the uro-genital system. Thrush he finds to be caused by a fungus 

 with a stout mycelium often showing arthrospores and numerous free 

 oval or roundish budding yeast-like forms. He has isolated a great 

 many different species and placed them in the genus Monilia. They 

 vary chiefly in the effect ou sugars. Bronchial affections are caused by 

 several different fungi : — Nocardicin Monilia, Oidiiim, Hemispora, Asper- 

 gillus, Fenicillium, Mucor and Sporotrichium, The causative agents in 

 other diseases are also given and the effects produced. The lectures 

 are well illustrated. A. L. S. 



Some Observations on Erysiphe Polygoni.— G. D. Searle {Trans. 

 Brit. Mgcol. Soc, 1920, 6, 275-9). Ergsiphe Fohjgotii cames the swede 

 mildew ; this and various problems were attacked in the investigation. 

 In field trials no kind of swede, turnip or rape out of seventy-seven 

 tested was found to be immune to the disease. Biologic forms were 

 proved to exist. As to overwintering it is suggested that the " most 

 probable method of overwintering of the ' biologic form ' of Ergsiphe 

 Folggoni on the cultivated Brassicse is by means of subinfections on 

 varieties of B. oleracea aided by persistent mycelium on varieties of 

 B. campestris.''' The experiments are described in detail and the results 

 set forth in six tables. A bibliography of the subject is appended. 



A. L. S. 



Iris Leaf-spot caused by Didymellina Iridis. — W. B. Tisdale 

 (Phgtojmthologg, 1920, 10, 148-63, 6 figs.). The fungus is a severe 

 disease of the broad-leaved Iris in Wisconsin and wherever the species 

 is grown ; other species are immune. The conidial stage is known as 

 Heierosporiiim gracile ; an abundant crop of conidia appear in spring 

 and spread infection, penetrating the leaves by the stomata. Perithecia 

 also develop in spring, but do not always produce asci. The fungus 

 overwinters in the dead leaves. A. L. S. 



Phyllosticta Blight of Snapdragon.— Edwina M. Smiley {Phyto- 

 pathologg, 1920, 10, 232-48, 8 figs.). The disease gives an unsightly 

 appearance to the host plants. On the leaves there appear brownish 

 purple or dull brown spots usually near the top of the leaves. When 

 the centre of the spot falls away a shot-hole effect is produced. Large 

 brown spots are also formed on the stems. Pycnidia appear on the spots 

 in more or less abundance, and may carry the plant over the winter 

 season. The pathological effect of the disease on the tissues of the 

 plant is described. Pure cultures were also made and the relations to 

 different media studied. A. L. S. 



R 



