169 
The Use of Carbon Bisulphide—Some time ago a Beyonia, supposed 
to be attacked by eelworms, was brought into the Jodrell Laboratory. 
On washing away the soil the root presented the appearance of a 
spongy mass, and numerous minute white worms were present in the 
crannies and cavities. Similar worms were also present in yet 
greater numbers in the cavities in the interior of the mass. On 
examination the parasite proved to be Fridericia bisetosa, Levinsen, 
one of the Oligochaet worms, several of which feed on living plants 
and in some instances prove highly injurious. F, disetosa often attacks 
larch seedlings when about a year old; the cortical tissue of the 
root is gradually eaten away, leaving the central woody portion 
exposed, It has also been met with in flower beds containing roses 
and pansies. In the case of the Begonia, patches of the cortex of 
the root had been completely destroyed, and wound-tissue formed 
around the wounds had been in turn attacked by the worms. Thi 
alternation of destruction and replacement of the tissues resulted in 
the formation of a somewhat tuberous spongy mass. At this stage 
the leaves had commenced to wilt, and the plant was evidently 
slowly dying owing to the failure of root action. : 
A second healthy Begonia was infected by placing cut up portions 
of the diseased spongy mass containing worms round the root of the 
healthy plant and afterwards planting it in sterilised soil. After 
the expiration of a month the leaves of the infected plant showed 
