A. M. Taylor 



25J 



The irregularity in the growth of the wood is most characteristic of 

 an eelworm attack, and the presence of dead or partially dead shoots, 

 with the bark shrivelled, the end tapering and thread-like, together 

 with a cluster of weak shoots, are typical signs of the presence of the 

 black currant eelworm. 



The foregoing observations are the outcome of work carried out 

 conjointly in the field and laboratory. The latter was found to be 

 indispensable in working out the life history of this nematode. 

 Especially was this the case in dealing with, the difficult period of 



migration, when the comparative invisibility of the worm when im- 

 mersed in water, rendered the task of following its movements in 

 the field impossible. 



The following experimental work was undertaken in this connection 

 and it deals, (i) with migration, which includes some observations on 

 the desiccation of the worm, and (ii), with the inoculation of various 

 plants with the obj ect of discovering, (a) whether trees found normally 

 associated with the black currant were likewise host plants for the 

 parasite, and (b) whether the worm could be identified with other 

 members of the group Anguillulidae causing specific diseases among 

 various plants. 



17—2 



