45 
caused by a minute parasitic fungus, Thielavia basicola, Zopf, has 
become so prevalent during recent years, that in some localities 
their cultivation has been practically abandoned. The receipt at 
a considerable amount of diseased material in a condition 
favourable for investigation, has led to the discovery of the cause 
of the disease and also of measures whereby the danger can be 
prevented. 
MorrnHowoey, &c. 
The several very dissimilar forms constituting the life-cycle of 
Thielavia basicola, Gopi, has led to much complication and synonymy. 
The mycelium first produced as the result of infection, permeates 
the tissues and remains slender and colourless. Asa rule the host 
shows decided signs of injury, or is killed outright before the 
fungus commences to produce its fruit on the surface of the injured 
portions. When this stage has been reached, if conditions are 
favourable, branches of the mycelium grow outwards and cover the 
surface of the diseased part with a plexus of mycelial branches, 
which soon give origin to the first or Milowia form of fruit, which 
consists of simple or branched, upright, septate branches, becoming 
gradually narrowed upwards and remaining perfectly colourless, 
es 
and published it as Milowia nivea. Saccardo afterwards placed 
Milowia as the type of a new tribe of the Hyphomycetes which he 
established under the name of Milowieae. The spores or conidia 
are somewhat variable in size, thin-walled, cylindrical with truncate 
ends, and average 15-25 x 4—-6u. 
As the Milowia stage of fruit disappears, the mycelium developed 
externally on the host, becomes tinged brown, and gives origin to a 
second or Yorula form of fruit. In fact the Milowia and Torula 
stages may sometimes be met with on the same branch of mycelium 
opaque. The cell-walls also increase considerably in thickness 
during the growth of the spore. When the spores are mature they 
break up into their component cells, which resemble discs of vary- 
ing hickuoes and are circular or more or less obtusely polygonal in 
