338 
Tn cases like the latter a small black fungus (Melogramma spini- 
ferum) was found on the dead bark. ere the bark dies higher 
up, there is often a minute reddish fungus (Nectria ditissima) 
present. These species have been identified by Mr. Massee ; bot 
are parasitic,* and appear to account for the death of many 
trees. The same conspicuous saprophytic fungus, noted in the 
Ashridge Woods, was also found here on the dead and dying 
trees. 
Micklefield Hall Woods, Rickmansworth—Mr. Clutterbuck, the 
owner of these woods, kindly accompanied us on April 19th, 1910, 
and pointed out various diseased trees which he had had under 
observation. e first examined two beech-trees standing on the 
edge of a wood, the trunks being within a few feet of one another 
and the branches interlaced. In the case of one tree, parts of the 
stem and main branches were thickly covered with Coccus, while 
the other tree was almost free from it. The two trees had remained 
in about the same state for some years, and, as far as one could 
judge, they were both fairly healthy. They are admirably placed 
for observation, and Mr. Clutterbuck intends to note carefully an 
changes in their condition which may occur. Most of the trees in 
the vicinity were fairly free from Coccus, with the exception of one 
middle-aged tree, which stood at about one hundred yards from the 
two trees mentioned above. There was a large amount of Coccus 
on this tree, but the growth of the tree appeared normal. On 
ascending the tree, it was found that there was a large patch of dead 
bark running down the trunk in an irregular manner for a distance 
of two or three feet. This dead bark originated just below a wound, 
and there was nothing to show that it had any connection with the 
Coccus. 
Coccus was also noted on other parts of the estate, but was 
nowhere so bad as on the trees already referred to. On the out- 
skirts of a distant wood, we were told that a bad tree had been cut 
down two or three years ago; close to where this tree stood, 
Coccus was noticed on several trees, but none of them were really 
were practically clean. We were told that trees which had been 
illed, or were reputed to have been killed by Coccus, had very dry 
bark and were hard to cut, The woods were kept very free from 
dead trees. 
Hall Place, Maidenhead.—This, the estate of Sir Gilbert Clayton- 
Tiast, was visited in the company of the owner on May 19th, 1910. 
Our attention was directed to this estate in connection with questions 
referred to the Board of Agriculture, by Sir Gilbert, respecting 
Coccus and diseased beech-timber. The death of several large 
trees bearing Coccus had been reported, and samples of timber from 
living trees showing brown discoloration had been sent for examina- 
tion ime of our visit, though Coccus in small quantity 
was fairly general, as in other districts, only a few trees had a large 
amount on the bark. From the general appearance of these trees, 
they are at present in good average health, Several dead trees 
* Nectria ditissima is a wound parasite. See Massee, “‘ Diseases of Cultivated 
Plan * p. 183 : 
Trees,” p. 183, 
