9o6 JOURNAL, BOMBAY AATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXI. 



shape, and ^septation. Germiiiation takes place by a germ-tube 

 which, after a short growth, bears terminal sporangia. 



Whilst sporangia are usually found on the attacked plants onl\- 

 during the periods of considerable rainfall or heavy dews, the rest- 

 ing conidia are less common in the rain}- season, but very com- 

 mon in the hot dry months. No trace of true zoospores has been 

 discovered. 



Butler is inclined to believe that the parasite can pass into a 

 dormant condition actually within the bud of the palm and can 

 recommence activity at a later date, progressing until the growing- 

 point falls a prey to the attack and death follows. 



There are two ways of fighting the disease. The formation of 

 spores ma}^ be checked by cutting, off the bud from the stem as- 

 soon as the first leaf turns white. Infection of healthy trees can 

 be guarded against by brushing or spraying the outside of the bud 

 below the expanded leaves with a fungicide. 



The following suggestions were made for an organised campaigix 

 against the disease b}- Butler in 1906. 



" A special staff is required, for it is certain that, at first at least 

 the villagers will be slow to take measures for their own protection. 

 If, however, the results bear out the value of the work, real co- 

 operation Tnsij be expected before long. A number of expert 

 palm climbers (such as toddy drawers) should be selected under 

 the charge of an agricultural insjoector or some similar official and 

 provided with small axes or saws. They should be instructed to 

 climb all diseased trees, both those in the early stages and those 

 already dead, and to cut off the green tops below the swelling of 

 the leaf sheaths. It is particularly- essential that all trees in the 

 early stages should be dealt u^ith, and these can be recognized, 

 where the villagei's themselves are unable to do so, by the whitening 

 of one of the leaves towards the centre of the head. After cutting 

 off the heads, the whole of the tops should be collected into a heap 

 in each village and burned. In this way every dead or attacked 

 palm in a selected area would have its power of spreading infection 

 destroyed by burning the diseased parts, and this measure alone^ 

 if steadily pursued, is certain to give good results. The infectious 

 matter is confined to the head of the palm and, as the tree is- 



