192 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
2 feet from the apex, was dead and shrunken, and the whole of 
the plant higher up was evidently in a dying condition. 
Reference to Tubeuf’s book on “ Plant Diseases” shows that 
the cause of the disease is almost certainly a minute fungus, 
Phoma pithya, Sace., regarding which but little is known, and 
which has probably not previously been recorded in this country. 
All that can be recommended in the way of cure or prevention, 
in the meantime, is the careful removal and destruction of the 
diseased parts. As the point of attack of the fungus appears to 
be some distance from the ground, it is possible that, when the 
diseased portion has been removed, the plant may continue to 
grow in a bushy fashion; and such a tree may be regarded as 
better than none at all, though on this point individual opinion 
must give the decision. If the seat of the disease is below all 
healthy branches, then even partial recovery is impossible, and 
early removal becomes very desirable. 
3. Report by R. Stewart MacDovuaeatt, M.A., B.Sc., Honorary 
Consulting Entomologist. 
During the past year the inquiries have been few, but so 
interesting that one feels sorry not to have had more requests for 
information. Most of the queries related only to the identifica- 
tion of insect specimens which were sent to me, interesting 
specimens being received from Mr A. C. Forbes, Calne, Wilts ; 
Mr Mitchell, Dunraven, Glamorganshire; and Mr J. Clark, Haddo 
House, Aberdeen. 
The only communications which indicated pestiferous attack 
were those dealing with the Small Brown Weevil (Pissodes 
notatus) and the Pine Beetle (Hylesinus piniperda), both of 
which pests I dealt fully with in the last issue of the Z’ransactions. 
Pissodes notatus was sent to me both from South Wales and 
from Aberdeenshire, and I feel certain that this pest is much 
more common, and does much greater harm, than is generally 
believed. From my experiments with this beetle (a record of 
which I will publish in next year’s 7’ransactions), I have clear - 
proof that, in supplement to the remedies suggested last year, an 
excellent means of offence against notatus is to collect the beetles 
found feeding on the pines during the summer months, but in 
greatest number in the spring and autumn. 
