152 



bability not practicable, other than in the case of an experimental plot, 

 and would certainly have no beneficial effect on an infected area. 



Remembering t hut the mycelium of tin- fundus extends, as a rule, far 

 beyond the range indicated by its presence to the naked eye in a given 

 cane; and further, that almost every cam — jud-ini: from the material 

 examined — attacked by the "moth-borer" or "shot-borer" is also in- 

 fested with the fungus, it would be unwise to use apparently sound 

 portions of such canes for propagation. 



It was observed in those canes killed by the fungus alone that the 



the question, Was the cane, even if taken from a healthy stock, inocu- 

 lated with the fungus spores on the cut and exposed surface of the por- 

 tion used for propagation ? As a preventive against this possible cause 

 of inoculation, the cut surfaces mi^lit be painted .villi a solution of 

 I>ordeau\ mixture immediately on being cut, and repeated at intervals. 



It has been observed that the fungus causing the sugar-cane disease 

 develops readily on the young leaves of the bamboo, the same may prove 

 to be true of other members of the Graminece, hence a careful search 

 should be made for su-.i, - the spores would be 



carried for a considerable distance by the wind. 



Finally, all diseased canes should be burnt, aud not allowed to remain 

 to ret, during which condition they are simply producing fresh material 

 for the inoculation of other plants. 



Previous to the receiptof the material reported on above, several con- 

 signments of diseased sugar-cane had been received at Kew from Mr. 

 Hart from Trinidad, caused by the <ame species of fungus; but as the 



CCCXVL— ALDABRA ISLANDS. 



■a islands are a group of coral inlets, about 30,000 acres in 



north-west of Madagascar, in about 9° 30' S. lat. They 



t 200 feet high ; the shore is fringed with mangroves, and 



St. Thev have not till 



the present time been botanically investigated, 

 with that of the Galapagos (Ttstndo ehphantnpus). 



From a natural history point of view t 

 • (Test " 



of a gigantic tortoise (Testudo elephant ina), in dimensions comparable 

 information about 



I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you for your 

 perusal a despatch from the Administratoi of the Seychelles, in which 

 that officer gives an account of a recent visit to the Aldabra Islands. 

 I am to request that this despatch, which is sent ill original, may be 



