26 \ 
There is a curious similarity of growth between our plant and its 
near relative, Antennaria scoriadea, a fungus also of a velvety, sooty 
appearance, but of much larger size. Both plants are found on trees 
infested by Homoptera, and both are found on trees apparently 
destitute of these insects; the Antennaria is, however, found oceasion- 
ally on bog mosses (Sphagnum), which, so far as I am aware, are never 
infested by scale or aphides. 
It has been suggested that, as the fungus is almost invariably 
connected with the occurrence of scale or aphis, it is superfluous to 
treat it as a separate pest ; if the insect be destroyed the fungus will 
cease to exist. While fully admitting the frequency of the association, 
T am unable to give full assent to this view. I find instances in which 
the fungus is not directly associated with insects, and have seen trees 
sparingly attacked by scale, but having the leaves so excessively 
infested with fungus that it was not easy to see in what way the small 
quantity of honey-dew secreted by the insects could have caused the 
excessive abundance of the plant. Another point is worthy of con- 
sideration : even should it be proved that the fungus can only originate 
upon leaves covered with honey-dew, it does not necessarily follow 
that it is unable to maintain its existence without continuous supplies 
of the secretion. 
The closely allied Antennaria, to which reference has already been 
made, sometimes starts into existence on plants growing under the 
shade of trees infested by scale insects, and consequently exposed to 
the drip of falling honey-dew, but it has been known to exist long 
after the removal of the overshadowing trees, and consequently of the 
insect-secretion also. 
Oranges or lemons picked from trees affected by fungus should 
be carefully wiped before being packed for transit by sea. This pre- 
caution is of some importance, as the warm damp atmosphere of a 
steamer’s hold would facilitate the germination of the fungus-spores, 
and the fruit might arrive at its destination in an unsaleable condition, 
The fungus may be destroyed by dusting the affected leaves with 
sulphur, or with a mixture of sulphur and lime, either of which would 
also be found beneficial in assisting to dislodge insect-pests also. 
LEMON-TREE BORER (mona hirta). 
All citraceous trees are subject to the attacks of boring insects) 
and in some districts receive excessive injuries from these pests. 
Occasionally the stem and main branches may be found completely 
riddled, the injuries sometimes extending below the surface of the 
ground, and resulting in the death of the tree. 
My observations on the insect were exclusively restricted to its 
larval condition, the only state which I was able to obtain during the 
months of June and July, although numbers of affected trees were 
examined. For its identification I am indebted to A. T. Urquhart, 
Esq., of the Karaka, who has recently (27th August) forwarded 
specimens in the pupa-state, one of which was sufficiently developed to 
