1911-1912.] Notes on Parasitic A scomycetes. — //. 431 



as being present in the Airthrey loch, giving it the usual 

 " pea-soupy " appearance. In Professor West's ' Treatise on 

 the British Freshwater Algae ' there are said to be only 

 two British forms of Glceotrichia, namely, Gl. Pisiim and 

 Gl, natans, but the Professor informs me that the former 

 and Gl. echinulata are stated by many observers to be 

 identical, and that he sees no reason at present to doubt 

 this suggested identity, but hopes to satisfy his own mind 

 on this point during the next twelve months. It may 

 be mentioned that our member, Mr F. L. M'Keever, found 

 Gl. Fisum in the Upper Elf Loch "in great numbers."^ 

 As the Airthrey loch is well stocked with trout, a very 

 weak solution of 150 lb. of sulphate of copper was tried, 

 with the result that the Alga was entirely killed off, and the 

 water is now reported to be " quite clear." 



The problem of how to eradicate flowering-plants in lochs 

 and ponds without injury to the fish is still unsolved. As 

 regards Algae, however, the application of sulphate of copper, 

 with the necessary discrimination, has been proved over and 

 over again to be an undoubted remedy. There is now no 

 reason why these plants should become, by their inordinate 

 increase, offensive alike to the eye and a menace to health, 

 not to speak of their deleterious effects on fish-life. 



YL— NOTES ON PARASITIC ASCOMYGETPS.—Vart II. 



By Mr D. A. BOYD, Corresponding Member. 



{Read March 27, 1912.) 



In the large family known as the Pyrenomycetes are included 

 an immense number and variety of fungi, usually of minute 

 size. Most of these are saprophytes, and render important 

 service in accelerating the removal of dead vegetable matter 

 which might otherwise prove unsightly or unwholesome. 

 "Through their useful agency dry branches are rendered so 



^ See 'Transactions,' vol. vi. p. 370, "The Alga- Flora of Mid-Lothian." 



