716 ' The American Naturalist. [September, 
The genus Melanocharis comprises four species, all from New 
Guinea and its islands. These are not very dissimilar in size 
or coloration. The best known, well named M. nigra, is a 
glossy black above of a bluish cast. Beneath the principal tint 
is olivaceous, passing into pale yellow on the abdomen. The 
under wing-coverts are white. Total length, nearly five inches. 
Another genus of the same family, consisting of but a single 
species, is Pristorhamphus verotert. A larger bird this by an 
inch, with rich, velvety black plumage above, emanating pale 
green. Underneath a bluish tint. Besides, some spots of white 
on the tail, apparent when the bird is flying, but concealed at 
other times; there are white plumes, very soft and delicate, 
waving on either flank. The female is equipped with these 
same adornments, but is of dimmer coloring, mainly oliva- 
ceous. Habitat, the Arfak Mountains. 
Less by more than an inch is Rhamphocharis crassirostris, the 
sole member of its genus. An olive-green bird above with dusky 
brown wing- and tail-coverts, and blackish tail. Below the 
body is a pearl-gray with a yellow wash. The female is of 
larger size, olive-brown above, but differing from the male in 
being rather more varied in neutral colors, yellow and white 
spots or dots appearing on the dull surface of wings, tail and 
back. The under parts are of a soiled white, specked with 
yellow and brown. The bill is not noticeably larger than that 
of other species. 
THE BACTERIAL DISEASES OF PLANTS: 
A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE PRESENT STATE OF 
OUR KNOWLEDGE. 
By Erwin F. SMITH. 
II. 
I. THE BEET (BELA VULGARIS L.). 
1. THE BACTERIOSIS OF FODDER BEETS (1891). 
(1) Tue DISEASE. 
(1) Author, Title of Paper, Place of Publication, ete——This dis- 
ease was first described by Dr. Ernst Kramer, Privat Docent 
