covered that the mycelium of this phalloid is the cause, at least one 

 of the causes, of a serious blight that affects the sugar cane, known as 

 the "root-disease." How serious this disease is to the sugar grower 

 may be inferred from Mr. Cobb's showing that in Hawaii it causes 

 on an average a loss of ten per cent of the crop. 



Flo 172 



Phalloids have heretofore generally been considered more offensive 

 than harmful, but last year it was announced that the common Phallus 

 impudicus is the cause of a destructive root rot of the vine in Hungary, 

 and this taken in connection with Mr. Cobb's discovery will add, I am 

 afraid, to the disfavor with which many look on these interesting 

 plants. 



Aside from the economic importance of Mr. Cobb's paper he gives 

 a most interesting account of the phalloid. He traces its development 

 from the egg to the perfect plant, and pays special attention to the 

 dispersion of the spores by means of insects. His article is illustrated 



354 



