361 
What was my surprise when the overseer sent me a perfectly 
astonishing tuberous mass on one of our rubber trees, cit twice 
clear whether they do so at Sapele.) The plantation has a bad 
fungus history, and they also must have dug out lots of trees. I 
feel sure they would have made special records if they had found 
the Balanophora. Or has the parasite taken about ten years (from 
the time the plantation was laid out—ours dates from 1910) to 
overcome the resistance of the Para rubber tree 
tapped surfaces are external manifestations of internal ‘‘ shakes ”’ 
of the star variety. I saw enough last year, during brief visits 
to Agege to look after and pay labourers—not to mycologise, of 
course—to convince me that the trouble is physical and perhaps 
also physiological, and not the sequel to parasitism of an 
However, I know that it is at its worst at the height of the rains. 
Four cuts (in the half herring-bone style) were made, and by the 
end of the season four tracts 
each about 4 inches wide. It was evident at the end of the season 
corresponded, as I have said, to the time when the rains were at 
a ° 79% 
in 
in such cases is irregular and “‘ lumpy ’’ and will be difficult ever 
o tap again, but the important point is that there may be no 
fungus-attack phase which appears to me strongly to i a my 
hypothesis. If I get knocked out by the Boche you will at any 
rate be able to suggest to someone to attack the problem on these 
lines. 
Now I must be closing. This letter will come by the mail 
again thank Kew for all the help I’ve had and apologise for the 
turn. 
ae Boe Yours sincerely, 
C. O. FarquHaRson. 
