REPORTS BY THE HONORARY SCIENTISTS. 195 
Peer ORLo BY LFHE BONOKARY 
SCIEN DIS Es. 
1. Report by A. W. Bortuwick, D.Sc., Honorary Consulting 
Cryptogamtst. 
During the past year a considerable number of inquiries 
have been received and answered. Among other specimens 
sent in there were several examples of cankered Japanese larch, 
and in one case the trees had been very badly attacked by the 
larch aphis. Although the common larch canker-fungus has been 
known to attack the Japanese species for several years now, yet 
there are some who regard the Japanese larch as immune from 
attack, but, from the evidence as yet to hand, we cannot 
participate in such an optimistic view, and we strongly advise 
foresters to keep a sharp look-out for the first symptoms of 
disease in this species, in order that it may be checked in time, 
as prevention is always better than cure. It was no doubt due 
to lack of attention in this respect that the disease laid such 
a firm hold upon the European species, and became so thoroughly 
established and widely spread. Care should be taken that the 
Japanese larch is only planted in suitable situations, and in 
proper admixtures with other species; also that the young 
plants receive every care in transport and planting, so as to 
prevent any undue injury which is likely to reduce their 
vitality, or render them more easily attacked by the fungus. 
Specimens of both the cortical and leaf forms of Peridermium 
pini have also been reported upon. 
Two specimens of badly-cankered poplar branches were 
submitted during the winter. The disease in this case seemed 
to be identical with one very common in France, and attributed 
to the attack of a fungus called Hyalopus popult. 
As a point of general interest we might mention the toothwort, 
or Lathraea sguamaria, a specimen of which was sent in for 
identification. This is one of the flowering plants which has 
adopted a parasitic mode of life. It is parasitic on the roots 
of various trees, especially beech and hazel, at the base of which 
its fleshy erect stem, about a foot high, may occasionally be 
