52 



Circular, 

 cane disease. 



Ill canes from fields -whicli have this year been seriously attacked by the Piii-borer, 

 Xyleborus perforans AVoll., there has also been observed the mycelium of an unknown 

 microscopic fungus. The attack of this fungus appears in most cases to precede the 

 attack of the borer, and may be known to exist whenever the "red stain" or patch 

 is found to be present. This fungus permeates the cells of the cane, especially at the 

 node, and the affected cells soon give rise to the stain referred to. The Xyleborus 

 entering such fungus-infected canes soon comjiletes their destruction. Prof. D. 

 Albuquerque, of Barbados, reports that he is able to confirm the presence of the 

 fnugus, and after a further examination, at my suggestion, he has accumulated evi- 

 dence that the fungus is the original cause of the mischief. He also records that the 

 Bourbon cane is the greatest sufferer. 



T D. A. Cockerell, Esq., of Jamaica, says : "From the known habits of the 

 Xyleborus he should expect it to attack canes severly injured in any way by moth, 

 weevil, fungus, or mechanical means." Prof. C. V. Riley, United States Entomolo- 

 gist, says he feels "reasonably sure that the Xyleborus is not the culjirit." Mr. 

 Cockerell has found on aft'ected canes from Barbados and Jamaica a new species of 

 fungus, which it is proposed to call TruUula sacehari. Specimens of infected canes 

 kept under different conditions in Trinidad have also developed one or more species 

 of fungi. The appearance of the fungus on one specimen is very similar to that of the 

 well known Puccwia granarius or "Wheat Eust. The connection of these fungi with 

 the mycelium of the fungus which permeates the cells of our canes is, however, not 

 yet clearly established. Specimens have been sent for the determination of special- 

 ists in this branch, and their reply is awaited with interest. If it be shown that 

 these fungi are of the same character as Puccinia a step will be gained, from the 

 fact that that fungus is known to develop in alternate generations on difi'erent 

 plants. At one season and in one form on the Barberry and at another season and 

 in another form on AVheat, and we may thus infer that the host plants of our fungus 

 may be found in proximity to each other, and this opens the possibility of our being 

 able to destroy them during some period of their development. 



The serious nature of the attack should incite our planters to an endeavor to miti- 

 gate the evil as much as possible, by taking care to burn all cane refuse of every 

 kind clean off the fields, and not leave a single particle of vegetable matter in 

 which either the fungus or the beetle could develop. 



The greatest pains should be taken also to change the kind of canes cultivated for 

 those of other districts, and as far as possible to cultivate the land alternately with, 

 different crops. 



NOTES FROM THE JAMAICA MUSEUM. 



We have previously noticed au interesting series of stylographic cir- 

 culars issued by Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell, Curator at Kingston, Jamaica. 

 We are in receipt of Kos. 8, 9, 14, and 15 of the series, and find in them 

 much matter of interest, ^o. 8 is devoted to the consideration of the 

 deceptive resemblances in nature ; ISTo. 9 to the St. Andrew's Cotton 

 Stain er {JDysdercus andrew), which we have already mentioned as taking 

 the place of our Bed Bug or Cotton Stainer (D. sKturellHs) in Jamaica; 

 No. 14, Scale-insects from Antigua, and No. 15, Sugar-cane pests in Trini- 

 dad and Barbados. In No. 9 Mr. Cockerell suggests as remedies for the 

 Cotton Stainer to destroy the wild, native food-plants in the neighbor- 

 hood of the crop to be protected and to make heaps of the sugar-cane 



