CXXxiv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



carpels are blended, so as to become embedded in and inseparable from it. 

 In some Gourds this state of things is very apparent, because the true 

 carpels project beyond the flower-tube in a more or less dome-shaped 

 prominence at the top of the fvuit. Exactly the same condition occurred 

 in the flowers sent by Messrs. Cannell. The flower-tube bore at its 

 margins five stalked leaves, and the true carpels protruded for the space of 

 an inch above these calycine leaves, covered as usual with a rind, the origin 

 of which is one of the puzzles to be solved. 



But this state of things was simplicity itself in comparison with what 

 occurred in the specimens reproduced in fig. 246. Here both from the 

 sides of the original receptacular tube, and from its edge, protruded 

 secondary flowers of the most singular appearance. The calyx was repre- 

 sented by five stalked leaves, at the base of which were some minute, 

 thread-like processes, perhaps representatives of stamens, and in the centre 

 ?j secondary axis in the form of a small Cucumber, often contorted, and 

 bearing a leafy calyx surrounding a mass of imperfect petals and stamens. 

 In some cases tertiary shoots might be seen springing from the sides of 

 these secondary productions, and constituting, as it ware, a double or two- 

 fold prolification. 



" In brief, the main peculiarities of these flowers were dependent on an 

 altogether abnormal degree of branching in the floral axis beneath and 

 also within the calyx ; in the more or less complete substitution of leaves 

 for sepals and petals ; in the production by prolification of tertiary flowers, 

 some axillary, others from the sides of the secondary flowers ; in the 

 isolation and multiplication of the stamens ; in the production of carpels 

 in the same flower with the stamens ; in the complete detachment of 

 these carpels from the axis, and in the want of union between the 

 margins. 



*'I am afraid Cucumber-growers will not quite appreciate such 

 productions. They may be reassured by their extreme rarity. 

 Botanists will, however, be intere.sted in these extraordinary deviations 

 from the normal conformation, which would be unintelligible without the 

 aid of Mr. Worthingtou Smith's excellent drawings." (Figs. 245, 246.) 



Wood Leopard-Moth. — Young Ash-trees were received from Mr. 

 LI. Lloyd, of Blandford Lodge, Chiswick, who observes that " the whole 

 tree, the stem being a foot thick, and branches, were all bored. The 

 tree is about 30 feet high. Similar borings occur in both Lilac and 

 Laburnum." 



Scientific Committee, August 13, 1901. 

 Dr. M. C. Cooke, M.A., LL.D., in the Chair, and eleven members present. 



Iris-leaves Diseased. — Rev. W. Wilks brought leaves of a German 

 Iris thickly bestrewn with brown spots, which become confluent, and 

 eventually bring about the death of the plant. Dr. M. C. Cooke identifies 

 the fungus as Heterosporium gracile, and recommends spraying with 

 sulphide of potassium or ammoniacal solution of copper. All diseased 

 leaves should be forthwith burnt. (See p. 450.) 



Banana Disease in Egypt. — Mr. Lionel Sandars, of Ramleh, made 



