156 



ture to excretine, but not identical with it. They contain no ex- 

 cretine ; they yield butyric acid, which is not present in human 

 excrements. 



2. The excrements of the Crocodile contain cholesterine and no 

 uric acid, whilst those of the Boa yield uric acid and no cholesterine. 



3. The faeces of herbivorous animals, viz. the Horse, Sheep, Dog 

 (fed on bread), Wild Boar, Elephant, Deer and Monkey, contain no 

 excretine, no butyric acid and no cholesterine. 



XX. " On the Vine-Disease in the Port-wine Districts of the 

 Alto-Douro, in April 1854. With a Supplementary Note 

 on the Proposed Remedies for its Eradication." By 

 Jos. JAMES FORRESTER, Esq., F.R.G.S. Communicated 

 by J. P. GASSIOT, Esq., F.R.S. Received May 17, 1854. 



In Portugal, where the vine-disease committed great ravages last 

 year, no measures have as yet been adopted for ascertaining whe- 

 ther the disease is radical, or only superficial ; or whether any 

 practical remedy may be adopted in order to arrest the progress of 

 the evil. 



At Oporto, and in the north of Portugal, an opinion prevails 



" That the O'idium is the effect, and not the cause of the epidemic. 



" That the roots and the wood of the vines are diseased. 



" That sporules of the O'idium exist in the interior of the vine, and 

 about its roots. 



" That the obstruction to the ascent of the sap through the 

 various ducts, originates in the roots. 



" That black spots appear in the joints of the branches, indicating 

 that disease exists throughout the body of the vine. 



" That a new fungus has appeared on the vines, in the shape of 

 small globules, containing carbonfc acid. 



And " that, although vegetation may continue for a while, the 

 fruit will not ripen, and the vines will die in a couple of years from 

 this date." 



Considering that it would be of some importance to determine 

 whether the disease has its origin in the roots or from external 



