By Professor J. BUCKMAN, F.L.S-, F.G.S., &c. 



J TIRING my residence at Bradford I have for 

 some years observed that a certain yew tree was 

 attacked by a minute fungus, by which the 

 mature leaves become brown and withered, 

 with the result that the trees look shabby, and 

 it certainly retards their growth, and threatens 

 great mischief to a tree always considered wonderfully free 

 from Doth fungus and insect attacks. In reference to this 

 epiphyte, I found it was first pointed out by the Hon. and Rev. 

 E. T. Boscawen, and it is described as follows : 



SPHCERBLLA TAXI, Cooke. Gard. Chronicle. 



" Epiphyllous, perethecia gregarious, occupying the whole 

 surface of the leaves, black, slightly prominent, asci cylindrical ; 

 sporidia elliptical, apparently uniseptate when mature." On 

 Leaves of Taxus, Cornwall, Hon. and Rev. E. T. Boscmven* 



This seems to have been the result of a communication to 

 Grevillea in 1878, which was perhaps the year in which Mr. 

 Boscawen first noticed this epiphyte in Cornwall. I have 

 noticed it for tho last four or five years in Dorset, and more 

 recently in Somerset, so that the affection is spreading, and it 

 is probable that it will not be long before it spreads over the 

 country. 



It will be a pity if it should spread to any large extent, as it 



* Grevillea, vol. vi., pp. 128-1878, 



