xlvi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



that time it was uni^nown. This must have been about seven years ago. 

 It is thus described : ' Large nodules of brain-like outgrowths develop 

 near the apex of the root, and may consist of modified leas es or rootlets ; 

 the tumours are fleshy, attached to the root by a short narrow neck, and 

 in the substance are numerous cavities filled with dark-coloured spores. 

 The spores are subglobose, produced at the apex of a hypha, which bears 

 a large vesicular swelling just below the spore.' It can only be added 

 that the name given to the fungus causing the tumour is that of 

 (Edomyces leproides. Its relations are to a certain degree with the 

 Ustilagines, or smuts, but require further investigation. It is impossible 

 in the absence of fruit of any kind to affirm that the tumour under 

 notice is the same as the Algerian specimens, although it seems probable. 

 The production of spores may have been arrested by the climatic condi- 

 tions, which are so different from what they would be in North Africa. The 

 blackened spots and the plentiful mycelium would indicate the work of a 



a, NATURAL size; 6, ENLARGED FIVE TIMES; C, SECTION THROUGH GALL AND BRANCH. 



fungus pest. An opportunity presenting itself, I submitted the affected 

 Beetroot to Mr. Massee, and he was equally interested wdth myself in its 

 examination, and together we consulted the authorities who had written 

 on the subject, coming to the conclusion that it was very probable that 

 our tumour was the same as the Algerian one, but only in its initial 

 stage, assuming that it required a higher temperature for its full develop- 

 ment. His microscopical examination confirmed my own, that there was 

 a profuse mycelium present, and that doubtless the tumour was the result 

 of fungal parasitism." 



Galls on Schiniis molle. — Dr. Cooke also reported on the young twigs 

 and green leaves of Schinus molle : — " The leaves proved to be perfectly 

 sound and healthy, but attached to the twigs we found five or six small 

 discoid fleshy bodies, about two millimetres in diameter, attached, like a 

 button, by a small central shank. These excrescences were whitish at 

 the circumference, roseate, and rather corrugated towards the centre. In 



a 



Fig. 122.— Galls on Schinus molle. 



