1883. | Botany. 319 
Asterina Xerophylli—Perithecia on a scanty mycelium, entirely 
_, Superficial, orbicular or subelongated, slightly depressed in the 
| center, }™™ diam. asci obovate, contracted into a thick stipe-like 
e, 35x 15 æ, sporidia hyaline, fusiform or clavate fusiform, 
faintly 3 septate, 18-20 x 3-314 ». On fading leaves of Xerophyl- 
lum asphodeloides. Willow Grove, N. J., May, 1882. 
Asterina Ilicis—Perithecia superficial, flat, punctiform, minute, 
mycelium nearly obsolete ; asci globose-ovate, 22 x 15 #; sporidia 
` oblong, uniseptate, yellowish, 11 x 4 #. On living leaves of //ex 
` glabra, Newfield, N. J, June, 1882.— F. B. Ellis, Newfield, N. F. 
New Species oF Micrococcus (Bacterta.)—Micrococcus amyli- 
vorus. Cells oval, single or united in pairs, rarely in fours, never in 
elongated chains, imbedded in an abundant mucilage which is very 
soluble in water ; movements oscillatory ; length of a separate cell 
00004 to .000056 in.; width, .000028 in.; length of a pair, .00008 in. ; 
of four united, about .oo0o12 in. 
q In the tissues of plants causing the so-called “fire blight” of 
the pear tree and similar phenomena in many other plants. Through 
the action of the organism the stored starch is destroyed by fer- 
-~ mentation, and carbonic acid, butyric acid and hydrogen is given 
off (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1880; 
= Tenth Report Illinois Industrial University, 1880). 
This species was at first referred to the genus Bacterium, but 
this came from too exclusive attention having been given to its 
S It is only found in the tissues of affected plants or o0z- 
| ing from their cells and smearing the surface. It may, however, 
be cultivated in pure starch in water maintained at the temperature 
of ordi summer weather. No doubt other nutritive ingredi- 
ents would make the culture easier and more prompt. ; 
4. toxicatus—Cells globular, single and in pairs, rarely in 
chains of several articles ; .co002 in. in diameter, movement oscil- 
latory only, 
fe species of Rhus, and believed to be the peculiar “poison ” 
a r which these plants are noted. They may be found in the in- 
biden: tissues of the stem as well as upon the leaves. Transferred - 
eiye human skin they multiply rapidly in number and penetrating 
© ‘Me epidermis, through the sweat ducts (?) set up the inflamma- 
a So well known, If again transferred to healthy skin the same 
: menon follows. (American Association for the Advance- 
r Nos a TS 1882; American Monthly Microscopic Fournal, 
Be msectorum.—Cell obtusely oval, isolated or in pairs, rarely 
chains of several articles; .000022 in. wide and .000027 to 
- paisa in. long (usually about .000032 in. long); movements 
; la Bo. only ; forming zooglæa (?). 
|a the digestive organs of chinch bugs (Blissus leucopterus). 
Ga ne. by Professor S. A. Forbes (AMERICAN NATURALIST, 
» 1882). I have myself, in common with many others, ob- 
