elements of llic trunk and branches. These granules often lill u[) the entire 

 lumina of the cells and consist either of cellulose or of substances containing 

 proteins. Cugini, who, morever, considers the phenomenon to be parasitic, 

 also confirms the turning green of the blossoms and connects it with the 

 disease. Differences of opinion prevail already among pathologists who 

 have found parasites. Prillieux^ considers Rocslcria hypO(}aca as the cause, 

 while Hartig- declares that this fungus is an accompanying phenomenon and 

 that another, Demafophora necatrix is the real parasite. 



Later investigations, especially those made by Pirotta-', show that tlie 

 above mentioned granules in the cells give the tannin reaction and arise 

 directly from the starch grains. He found Rhizomorpha very frequently 

 in the diseased roots, but not always ; nevertheless, he does not consider this 

 fact important enough to place the disease among fungus diseases. Comes 

 showed that the granules in question do not represent accumulations of 

 tannin but consist of a dififerent ground substance (gum) which Is only 

 saturated with tannin. 



GUMMOSIS OF THE FiG TrEE. 



The disease of the fig tree (Marciume del Fico" of the Italians), which 

 has been well known since the time of Theophrates, has been thoroughly 

 studied by vSavastano*, who recognized it as gummosis. 



This disease, to which old plants are more exposed than young ones, is 

 found most markedly in the months of July, August and September when 

 the leaves become yellow and fall, as does the fruit also. Although numer- 

 ous fungi and even insects are found on the wilted and dead leaves (Pujiiofio 

 salicina, Tul, Urcdo Ficus, Cast, Phyllosticta Sycophila Thiim., Sporodes- 

 mium. Coccus caricae Fab.), these parasites should not be considered causes 

 of the disease. Usually there is no change in the trunk and branches, but a 

 change does occur in the root, where the chief seat of the disease should be 

 sought. In a highly advanced stage the roots seem blackish up to the 

 crown. They sometimes split open, but oftener decay. 



It is found in plants, raised from sprouts, that the seat of the disease 

 may lie in the roots of the mother plant, from whence the further distribu- 

 tion takes place in all directions, but especially upward. The outermost layer 

 is the most diseased ; only at times is the innermost layer destroyed to any 

 great extent. When the destruction reaches the crown, the plant dies 

 absolutely. 



When the disease appears, the cells and ducts are found filled with a 

 substance which at first seems a lemon yellow and later a dark amber. At 

 first the cell walls are covered with this and then the whole lumen becomes 



1 Prillipiix, La pourridie dcs Aisncs de la Haute-Marnc, pioduit p.ar Ic Rocslcria 

 hypogaea. Pa'ris 1SS2. 



2 Hartig, R. Rhizomorpha (Dematophora) necatrix. Der Wurzelpilz des 

 Weinstocks. Untersurhiingen aiis dem forstbotanisrlicn In.stitute zur Miinchen. 

 1883, III, p. 95. cit. Bot. Centralhl. 1883, No. 46 (Vol. XVI). p. 208. 



3 Pirotta, Primi studi sul Mai nero o Mai dello Spaceo ncolle viti 1882; cit. Bot. 

 .lahresber. 1882. 



4 Savastano, li. II Marciume del Fico. Annuario deUa R. Rcuola Sup. d'Agri- 

 cult. Portici, Vol. Ill, fasc. V, 1884, con 4 tav. cromot. (nach brieflicher Mitteilung). 



