159 



of handles of weapons and the like. Ii is never likely to be of com- 

 mercial value. 



Nepenthes. 



Several species of pitcher plants common in the Peninsula have 

 strong tough stems used chiefly for binding hedges and the like. 



GERMINATING PARA RUBBER SEEDS 



The following notes on germinating Para rubber seed is taken 

 from the proceedings of the Agri-Horticultural Society of Madras 

 October to December, 1904, p. 13S : — u In these gardens, we have 

 been in the habit, for the last 3 years, of germinating seeds to sup- 

 ply to the planters on the Nilgiris. The first year, the plan of sowing 

 direct in pots and pans was adopted with very poor results. In the 

 second and third years, a system on the plan of a seed-tester was tried. 

 Platforms were erected, about 4 feet from the ground, and on these 

 old sacking was stretched (coir matting would be preferable). Over 

 these was placed a little powdered charcoal to assist in retaining 

 moisture. The seeds were then placed on this and covered with 

 more sacking and the whole kept damp by occasional watering. 

 The seeds were examined every day and as soon as any showed signs 

 of germinating they were removed and potted off. Severity-five 

 percent, of a case of seeds received from Peradeniya germinated 

 after this treatment in spite of having been delayed by the .Madras 

 Customs authorities for over 3 weeks/' 



This plan might be well worth trying in cases where seeds have 

 been long delayed in transit to the estate. 



Editor. 



NOTE ON TERMES GESTROI. 



In the Annual Report of the Botanic Gardens for 1878, I find 

 that Mr. MurtoN reports " The white ants have caused the death 

 of some fine specimens of coniferae for which class they seem to have 

 a great predilection. A large specimen of Dammara Orientaljs, 

 one of Arancaria Bidwill, one of A. Cooki and one of Dacrydium 

 Horsfieldi, have fallen preys to their ravages. All attempts to arrest 

 their progress by applications of kerosene and gastar in quantities 

 not sufficient to kill the trees, proved useless ; moreover, the roots and 

 all the vital action of the plant is quite destroyed below the surfa 

 before any signs of failing or decay is betrayed in the branches and 

 foliage. " 



There can be little doubt that this termite was T. gesiroi\ which 

 was attacking the conifers as it does the rubber. The insect, how- 

 ever, seems to have quite disappeared shortly afterwards, as it is 

 hardly alluded to again. The Gardens had not long been founded, 

 and had apparently been somewhat neglected till 1875, when .Mr. 

 MURTON took charge. Under improved cultivation, the termite 



