REPORTS BY THE HONORARY SCIENTISTS. 155 



bark of beeches Where the bark has been punctured, galls arise 

 as little round swellings, which become larger and ultimately 

 burst. The gall-tissue in the cortex becomes brown and dies. 

 Nectria ditissitna is very frequently found along with this insect. 

 Badly attacked trees may be killed wichin a few years. 



Mr George Leven, Auchencruive, sent some specimens of 

 Douglas fir showing evident signs of disease caused by a fungus; 

 but in the absence of fructifications it was impossible to say 

 definitely what the fungus was. The matter is still under investi- 

 gation, and a fuller report will be given later. 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



Pathological Specimexs for the Society's Exhibition at 

 THE Highland and Agricultural Show. 



The exhibit by the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society at 

 the Highland and Agricultural Show is now an established 

 annual feature, and forms a not unimportant adjunct to the 

 great show of the sister Society. In view of the fact that of 

 late years there has been a growing intei-est in all that affects 

 the health and welfare of trees, whether grown for ornamental 

 or for commercial purposes, I would remind Members of tbe 

 Society that pathological specimens should form an important 

 part of the exhibit. 



The health of trees, as influenced by climatic conditions (heat, 

 cold, moisture, snow, hail, frost, lightning, etc.), and also by 

 impurities in air and soil, as well as by parasitic enemies, is 

 treated of in the comparatively recent science of plant pathology. 

 Anything which would tend to a wider dissemination of know- 

 ledge of this subject could not fail to be of great value. Material 

 for such a purpose is unfortunately only too plentiful, but it is 

 ■widely scattered about the country. 



A disease common in one locality may be comparatively rare 

 in another ; and an exhibit of this kind, including specimens 

 from all parts, would give foresters an opportunity of studying 

 diseases other than those which come under their own immediate 

 observation. A. W. Borthwick. 



