NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



757 



Brown-tail Moth, The. By C. M. Weed (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. New 

 Hampshire, Bull. No. 107, Feb. 1904 ; illustrated). — This insect, which 

 I believe is the same as that which is called in this country the " brown- 

 tailed moth" (Porthesia chrysorrhcra), and which used to be much more 

 common here than it is at the present time, has increased in New 

 Hampshire and other North-Eastern States to an enormous extent. The 

 author says : " As far as is known the first colony of brown-tail moths 

 was found in New Hampshire December 7, 1899." The caterpillars of 

 this moth feed on the leaves of various trees and shrubs, Pear, Wild Cherry, 

 Apple, Oak, and Hawthorn being the chief favourites. Not only are they 

 at times "frightfully destructive " to the trees which they attack, but they 

 are the cause of much suffering to human beings. " Some of the hairs of 

 the full-grown caterpillars are furnished with minute barbs ; when the 

 caterpillars moult these hairs are shed with the skin. . . . When these 

 alight upon the human skin they cause an irritation, which upon rubbing 

 may develop into inflammation." A physician in Somerville has seen a 

 large number of cases, and says, " Some of the cases were very obstinate, 

 and did not respond well to treatment. The same symptoms developed 

 in nearly all cases. The trouble began with intense irritation, then an 

 eruption appeared resembling eczema, with a sort of watery blister on the 

 top ; there was an intense irritation all over the body, on the head, arms, 

 and limbs." The caterpillars pass the winter in nests, which they make 

 by fastening several leaves together with threads. The best remedy is, in 

 the course of the winter, to cut the nests out of the trees and burn them. 



G. S. S. 



Bryum, European Species of. By Dr. Josef Podpera (Prag) 

 (Beth. Bot. Gent. xv. pp. 483-492). — Gives a critical discussion of many 

 of the varieties and species of Bryum. Amongst others the following 

 new species are described : B. Beinharti Podp., B. Aschersonii, B. 

 Sydoivii, as well as many new varieties and sub-species. — G. F. S.-E. 



Bryum Geheebii, C. Mull. By Adalbert Geheeb (Freiburg i. Br.) 

 (BciJi. Bot. Cent. xv. pp. 89-94). — Tries to prove that this species is not 

 B. Funckii Schwgr., that it only differs from B. Gerivigii (C. Mull.) Limpr. 

 in the leaf midrib. It is a bad species, perhaps allied to Bryum gemmi- 

 parum De Not. — G. F. S.-E. 



Budding* and Grafting. By W. J. Allen (Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. 

 pp. 1171-1182 ; December 1904). — An exceedingly practical article on 

 this subject, and splendidly illustrated with a series of nineteen illustra- 

 tions reproduced from photographs. — H. G. C. 



Bulbophyllum auricomum. By W. B. H. (Bot. Mag. t. 7938).— 

 Native of Burma. Nat. ord. Orchidece ; tribe Dendrobiece. A pseudo- 

 bulbous herb, less than a foot high. Scapes, solitary, 4 to 10 inches long ; 

 flowers very fragrant, nodding, white, with an orange labellum. — G. II. 



Bulbophyllum virescens. By R. A. Rolfe (Orch. Bev. vol. xii. p. 

 272). — Particulars of the history and description of the plant are included. 



h. j. a 



