493 



Glasgow, was in the Malay Peninsula studying the fungi I called 

 his attention to it but he likewise did not get the fruit. I have 

 suspected it to be the immature state of a species of Corticium, 

 which genus is a very pestilential plant destroyer. It only, so far 

 as I know, appears in wet weather, and usually in damp spots in 

 the Coffee estate, especially on trees near and shaded by the 

 forest which during the wet season do not get enough sun to dry 

 the leaves. In dry weather, it seems quite to disappear. The 

 obvious thing first, if it appears on trees near jungle edge, is to cut 

 the trees of the forest back so as to let the coffee bushes get more 

 light and air, and to cut off all infected twigs, leaves, and berries 

 and destroy them, and should it show signs of very rapid growth, 

 to spray the bushes with Bordeaux Mixture. 



The appearance of this fungus, however, may be considered as 

 a sign that the estate is too damp in the places where it occurs, 

 and steps should first be taken to make it dryer. — Ed. 



AV-ASTYCHUS CHRYSOCHLORIS. 



Laxadron Estate, Muar, 

 Via Singapore, 

 Straits Settlements, 



$rd October, 1904. 



The Editor, 



The Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits & F. M. S. 



Dear Sir, 



I have read with interest the letter in your July issue from 

 Mr. F. C. Robinson on the beetle Astychus Chrysochloris: — 

 I was surprised to see that he lays special emphasis on the " well 

 known habit of the family of shamming death on the slightest 

 alarm," for I have not found this at all the case with the 

 numerous specimens I have caught here. On the contrary, when 

 disturbed they at once hide behind the leaves of the tree or else 

 attempt to escape by running along the twigs or branches. 

 When the tree or branch on which they are is shaken they will 

 drop off as though falling to the ground, but when still about 3 ft. 

 from the ground they fly away, thus rendering themselves very 

 difficult to follow. 



This being so, might it not be possible that there are two 

 beetles, somewhat similar in appearance but different in habits? 



I remain, dear Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 



Roger Peaks. 



