SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, JUNE 18. 



cxxv 



contracted part of the spathe being full of dead flies (Lucilia). These 

 had previously laid eggs, the grubs of which had lived in the decaying 

 mass. It was somewhat difficult to explain how cross-fertilisation could 

 be secured, and how insects born within the spathe could escape. 



Peach-leaves Diseased. — Samples were received from Mr. Gurney 

 Fowler, which Dr. M. C. Cooke undertook to examine. 



Crinum hyhricl. — Mr. Worsley showed a fine bloom of C. scabriwi x 

 C, Moorei with a rose-coloured perianth. 



Tomato-leaves Proliferous. — Dr. Bonavia sent some examples of this 

 not uncommon peculiarity. It was the variety ' Orchard's No. 1.' Dr. 

 Bonavia regards the leaf as a modified branch, but the anatomical struc- 

 ture of the petiole is not that of a stem, but of the usual kind in petioles, 

 having a horseshoe-like section of the fibro-vascular bundles, with two 

 extra cords above on either side of the superior groove. The leaves had 

 been shortened, and the a.bnormal buds grew out as a consequence from 

 the axils of the leaflets. The infloresence appears to terminate in a leaf 

 with an axillary bud, but this latter is really the terminal bud being dis- 

 i)laced by the vigour of the leaf. Mons. P. Duchartre was the first to 

 describe proliferous Tomatos. It occurred particularly in the true species, 

 Lycopersicum cerasiforme, Dunal, less so in L. pyriforme, Dunal, and 

 only in the hybrid L. esculentum when the leaves had been cut. Du- 

 chartre says the proliferous state was practically habitual in the yellow 

 variety of the first-named species. The new bud arises from the axil of 

 the leaflet, and a vascular connection is made with the upper end of the 

 " horseshoe " ; the cords are very sinuous at first, but soon form a perfect 

 cylinder of an oval form in section, which then runs up the stem of the 

 new bud. 



Scientific Committee, June 18, 1901. 



Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, with fifteen members present, 

 and Monsieur H. Correvon, Geneva, visitor. 



Ahies and Picca hybrids. — Dr. Masters exhibited from Monsieur 

 Moser, of Versailles, four specimens, all different, the result of a cross 

 between A. Pinsapo and A. Nordmanniana, and one specimen between 

 Picea ajanensis and P. nigra var. Doumeti. This is remarkable for 

 having the stomata on the upper side of the leaf, in correlation with the 

 habit of the leaves lying horizontally with the upper surfaces downwards. 



Cornfloicers Diseased. — Mr. J. Laws sent specimens of Centurea 

 Cyaniis badly afflicted with "rust." Dr. Cooke reported upon it as 

 follows : — " Plants of Centaurea Cyaims, covered with rustv spots on 

 leaves and stems, were sent to the committee in a deplorable condition. 

 This fungus, as far as present experience goes, is the same as that which 

 attacks Chrysanthemums, and is called Uredo Hieracii. Plants in the 

 condition sent should at once be rooted up and burnt. It will bo well 

 understood how dangerous it would be to have such a pest in the 

 neighbourhood of Chrysanthemums, and probably others of the Com- 

 posite, to say nothing of the Cornflowers themselves." 



Potamogeton crispus. — Mr. Mark Webster described a pond infested 



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