Vi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Lord Foley, Kuxley Lodge, E slier (gardener, Mr. Miller), 

 sent some fine Mushrooms, and Mr. A. Dean, Bedfont, some 

 excellent specimens of home-grown and imported Spanish 

 Onions. From the Society's Gardens at Chiswick came examples 

 of six varieties of Broccoli — amongst which the Early Penzance, 

 from Messrs. Veitch & Sons and Messrs. Rutley & Silverlock, 

 was considered the best. 



SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE. 



D. Moeeis, Esq., F.L.S. (Treas. R.H.S.), in the Chair, and nine 

 members present. 



Seakale Boots. — Professor Ward reported that the specimens 

 submitted to him at the last meeting were affected with the 

 slime-fungus (Plasmodiophora), a fungus which does great 

 damage to the roots of Cruciferous plants. 



Canker in Ajjple Trees. — The same gentleman reported on 

 the specimens referred to him at the last meeting, but which 

 presented no unusual features. 



Acari on Sugar-cane. — Mr. Michael reported on mites affect- 

 ing Sugar-canes in Barbados. Contrary to anticipation, the 

 acaroids belong to the family Oribatidaa, and either to the genus 

 Notaspis or to Damaeus, having the appearance of the former, 

 while the internal anatomy is more like that of the latter genus. 

 The species is allied to the English N. lucorum, but is probably 

 undescribed. The creatures in question are strictly vegetable 

 feeders, but have not hitherto been considered as inflicting any 

 material damage to living flowering plants, being found more 

 particularly on moss and lichens. Mr. Michael recommended 

 that specimens of the infected cane, slighty moistened, with the 

 living Notaspis on them, should be put into a tin box, sealed 

 down to prevent drying, and thus forwarded in a suitable condi- 

 tion for further examination ; other Acari, of the genus 

 Tarsonymus, and of extremely minute size, are known to be 

 injurious to Sugar-cane. The species of Damaeus are found 

 under the bark of trees. Judging from analogy only, the mites 

 in question would not seem likely to do much injury to living 

 canes. 



Dactylopius {Mealy-bug). — Referring to a communication 

 made to the Committee on December 10, Mr. Morris now read a 



