REPORT OF THE BOTANIST, 73 



The warty, knotty processes, now so familiarly knovm as indicating 

 the presence of Phylloxera^ are not by any means a modern iiroduction. 

 They have long been observed on the roots of grapes; but it is only when 

 the plants aro otherwise diseased and their normal vitality impaired 

 that the insects prevail to a fatal extent. 



Various kinds of Aphides have existed on the roots of plants from 

 time immemorial. 



If, as maintained by most entomologists, the leaf-gall-producing insect 

 and the root-louse are identical, it further confirms the accuracy of the 

 foregoing observations and deductions. Among all the varieties of 

 grapes, native or foreign, that have come under observation, I do not 

 recall to mind any one kind that has been so frequently or so severely 

 attacked by the leaf- gall insect as the Clinton. But this variety is so 

 healthy, so exempt from fungoid diseases, that all attempts of the insect 

 to fatally injure its roots are abortive ; a result that may be expected 

 of all other varieties so long as they retain a similarly healthy condi- 

 tion. 



For the past two years or more my time has been largely devoted to 

 duties devolving upon me as representative of the Department on the 

 board on behalf of United States Executive Departments at the Inter- 

 national Exhibition, 1876. These duties have been somewhat arduous, 

 but I have not permitted them to interfere, except when altogether un- 

 avoidable, with my daily duties in the Department. 



WILLIAM SAUNDEES, 

 St(;perintendent of Gardens and Grounds. 



Hon. Fkederick Watts, 



Gommissioner. 



EEPOET OF THE BOTANIST. 



Sir: I have the pleasure of presenting the following report of the 

 work of this division during the past your : 



A large amount of titoe and labor has been given to the preparation 

 of the collection of sections and specimens of forest-trees of the United 

 States. This collection constituted a conspicuous feature of the display 

 of this Department in the Government building during the recent Cen- 

 tennial Exposition, and was appreciated and commended by the most 

 intelligent citizens of our country, and was an object of careful study 

 by many of the representatives of foreign countries. It has often been 

 stated that the Government building was one of the most instructive 

 and interesting features of the exhibition, and it is also conceded that 

 this Department contributed its due proportion to that display. A 

 number of scientific men, who had part in the representation of different 

 countries at Philadelphia, made requests to be furnished with duplicate 

 specimens of our forest- woods, and also botanical specimens of our native 

 j)lants, for the scientific societies of their respective countries. In ac- 

 cordance with these requests, there was prepared and delivered before 

 the close of the Exposition boxes of specimens from the duplicates be- 

 longing to this Department for the following countries, viz: for Brazil 2 

 boxes, for the Argentine Republic. 1 box, for Russia 1 box, and for Kew 

 South Wales 1 box. 



More recently a box of specimens has been forwarded through the 

 Smithsonian Institution to. the BoyaL. Herbarium at Kew, England, 



