.8,,. NOTES AND COMMENTS. 577 



Schmitz's position with some severity, pointing out the cases of similar 

 malformations described by Miss Barton, caused by copepoda, 

 nematode worms, &c., and further insisting that since no proof of in- 

 fection was forthcoming, there was no more than a superficial reason 

 for believing that these Bacteria were propter hoc — he strongly inclined 

 to regard them as post hoc. 



The vines at Pyrgos, on the West Coast of Greece, have been 

 attacked by a disease which has caused great havoc. A letter from 

 Vice-Consul Fauquier, reproduced in the Kew Bulletin, states that 

 some localities are literally devastated, others to the extent of 50 to 60 

 per cent., while those that have suffered less show a damage of 10 to 

 20 per cent. Unfortunately, the disease shows no sign of abatement ; 

 even if it makes no further progress, the damage done in Pyrgos and 

 Olympia probably amounts to a third or half the crop. The Black 

 Corinth or Zante grape-vine, from which the currants of commerce are 

 obtained, is a variety of the common vine, with seedless fruit ; it is 

 cultivated chiefly on the mainland of Greece and the Ionian Islands. 



The September number oiGrevillea is " nnder new management," 

 namely, the editorship of Mr. Massee and the active co-operation of 

 the proprietor, Mr. Batters. Two plates are novelties, and, though 

 very " processy," are better than nothing. The new management 

 would do well to depend more on readable contributions than on 

 pages of lists and diagnoses. The mantle of Dr. Cooke has indeed 

 descended on Mr. Massee, and it has not proved a misfit. A useful 

 part of the new number is that devoted to critical and bibliographical 

 notices, these being good-humoured and impartial in all cases except 

 one (p. 27). The last would have been intelligible under the old 

 regime, but it may be doubted if the new management is acting 

 prudently in taking over the ill-w\\\ of the business. 



The series of Swiney lectures on Geology, to be delivered at 

 the Natural History Branch of the British Museum this month, is 

 the only official attempt made during the year to popularise the vast 

 and interesting Natural History collections stored in the National 

 Museum. It is, indeed, difficult to comprehend why the authorities 

 should have even omitted to build a lecture theatre when the grand 

 idea of a Museum of Natural History was being realised. In the 

 original plan, as sketched by Sir Richard Owen, this most important 

 feature was not omitted. At present, the lectures are given in the 

 Geological Library, with the result that numbers of people are 

 unable to obtain admission, while the regular staff and students are 

 seriously inconvenienced in their work and researches. The great 

 popularity enjoyed by Dr. Nicholson has, no doubt, much to do with 

 the success of the past two courses. 



2P 



