68 
mediums and reflections in looking glasses is not acquired by 
experience. Ideas associated with food supply seem readily 
acquired, and individuals are recognised as food providers, or 
constant companions. (January, 1887. He will recognise his master. 
50 yards away and come at his call) Certain harsh and raucous 
notes are hereditary, but gentle modulated tones are acquired, and 
the imitation faculty is early developed. The raven is apparently 
essentially a carrion bird, and even when pressed with hunger is not 
abird of prey. The tendency to destroy and tear inanimate 
objects to pieces does not seem to have any particular purpose. 
Apparently the raven has an hereditary fear of some things, and 
approaches all strange objects with great caution, but soon 
becomes accustomed to them when they are seen every day. 
B.S fe 
SOME PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF SMUT 
IN WHEAT, 
BY 
MR. J..-REID, F.R.C.S.Eng. 
Read NovEMBER 4th, 1886. 
The remarks were prefaced by descriptions of the fungi 
causing diseases of growing wheat and the morphology of the Ear 
of corn, aided by Diagrams. The fungus producing Smut, 
‘‘ustilago carbo,’? was particularly displayed. Circumstances 
obliged a daily walk through a field of growing Wheat and Barley 
near Canterbury, during June and the greater part of July. June 
was acold and dry month. The ground occupied by the crops had 
been manured from the same supply, from the Farm close by. 
The previous crops on the grounds were not known. In early 
Spring some Acres (a) on the N. side of path had been sown with 
white Wheat. About two or three weeks after, a larger piece (6) 
had been sown with the same Wheat. The remainder of the 
ground on the 8. (c) had been sown with Barley previous to the — 
Wheat plots being sown. June 12th, 1886, the healthy Ears 
began to appear in (a) plot and by the 18th were prominent over 
the whole space; the spikes were then showing freely in (6) 
section. In (c) space the beards of Barley were being thrust out 
of the blades. June 24th, 1886, in (a) the Anthers were pretty 
generally hanging from the spikelets. Smutted Ears were now 
noticed and increased daily. The general aspect of the Crop was 
strong and vigorous. The diseased spikes, though generally 
seattered, appeared at considerable intervals, not more than two to 
four in one drill space. The whole produce of one drill space was 
never found affected, and similarly after careful examination of the 
product of one grain in several instances, where one or two spikes — 
were affected, it was found the others were untouched. Rarely 
were two contiguous drill spaces affected. From the check given 
