80 
The Irish N aturalist. 
May, 
Dr. G. H. Pethybridge showed a species of Fusarium strongly parasitic 
on young plants of Chewing's Fescue grass. Six different samples of seed of 
this grass were sown for a certain purpose rather thickly in pots. In the case 
of one of them, when the seedlings were a few inches high, a fungus appeared 
growing on those near the centre of the pot which gradually killed off the 
plants and spread to and devastated in turn the neighbouring healthy plants, 
so that the whole growth ultimately became destroyed. The fungus produced 
no spores or ^conidia of any kind, but by removing small portions of its 
mycelium under conditions of asepsis to a suitable, sterile, nutrient medium 
pure growths were obtained by Mr. H A. Lafferty, in which conidia 
characteristic of the genus Fusarium developed abundantly. Considerable 
further study will be necessary before a decision can be reached as to what 
species the fungus represents or whether, as is very probable, it is one hitherto 
undescribed. The strongly parasitic nature of the fungus, its luxuriant 
growth and production of copious aerial mycelium on the young grass plants, 
and the total absence of conidia except when grown saprophytically in pure 
culture constitute, perhaps, its most remarkable characteristics. The study 
of it is being pursued further. 
W. F. GuNN showed sections of tufts of hair which are found on the under 
surface of the leaves of Laurustinus ( Viburnum tiniis). It has been suggested 
that these tufts of hairs, which are found in the angles formed by the junction 
of the principal and lateral veins, are galls formed by the irritation set up in 
the tissues of the leaves by a species of mite. The tufts vary in diameter 
from -^-^ to g inch, and the individual hairs are hollow, undivided, and 
unbranched. No mites or eggs could be discovered, and it is exceedingly 
doubtful if the condition is really due to insect agency. Hairy growths of a 
similar nature have been recorded in similar positions on the leaves of 
Hornbeam, Alder, Birch and other trees, and in most cases these are believed 
to be of normal vegetative structures. 
Patrick O'Connor, A.R.C.Sc, showed preparations from a stipe of 
Laminaria found at Killiney by Professor Johnson, d.sc, and infected with 
a fungus which proved to be Hypoderma iaininanae. The abundant elongated 
perithecia of the fungus are embedded in the thallus and open at the surface 
by large pores. The asci are eight-spored, the spores being two-celled. 
This is the first record of the appearance of the fungus in Ireland, and so far 
as can be ascertained, it was first described in June, 1915, by G. K. Sutherland 
{Neiv Phytologist, vol. xiv,, nos. 6 and 7). 
April 12 — The Club met at Leinster House, the President in the chair. 
Prof. G. H. Carpenter showed Akuvohiits farinae, a mite closely allied to 
the common species of Tyroglyphus, but distinguished by the excessively 
thick and spinose fore-legs in the male. The specimens exhibited had been 
found in narcissus bulb from Co. Dublin in January, 1913, by the late Thomas 
R. Hewitt, who preserved and identified them. The species is not included in 
