XXXvi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



as completely as it seemed possible to examine such a substance, I could 

 find no mycelium mixed with the filaments of the tomentum, and no 

 fragments of fungus hyphae or fungus spores. Subsequent examination 

 of other leaves, which had brownish and dead spots near the margin, 

 furnished from these spots a few delicate fungus hyphae with a few spores 

 or conidia, evidently belonging to some species of Cladosporiimi. But as 

 Cladosporium is so commonly found as a saprophyte on all kinds of dead 

 vegetable matter, and so very rarely as a parasite, and in this instance 

 occurred cnly upon dead spots, I came at once to the conclusion that it 

 was not connected with any disease. However, I ventured to state that I 

 should never be surprised to find some species of Oidiitm, with its chains 

 of conidia, on leaves of Cineraria as well as on other composite plants." 



The Failure of Beans in Houses. — Mr. Baker reported as follows upon 

 this matter brought before the last meeting : — " Mr. Horsley writes that 

 the plants and the unsown seed have been destroyed, and the earth 

 thrown away. I have therefore to form an opinion from the long record. 

 Assuming this to be correct, there is very little, if any, doubt that the- 

 failures were due to, first and chiefly, unbalanced sunlight and fire-heat. 

 The period of failure was the end of October to January, an unusually 

 dull sunless time this season, even for these months, and it seems no 

 allowance was made for this. This has been a fruitful source of trouble 

 this season elsewhere, and should teach the importance of regulating the 

 heat in accord with the sunlight available. Secondly, the soil was chiefly 

 of humus and too light, and almost certainly very deficient in available 

 lime, phosphate, and potash. 



Scientific Committee, March 8, 1904. 

 Dr. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and eight members present. 



Lobelia nicotiance folia. — A fine plant was exhibited by Messrs. Paul & 

 Son, Cheshunt — a native of the Neilgherry Hills and Ceylon. The 

 flowers were white, but the figure (Botanical Magazine tab. 5587) shows 

 them pale violet. A Botanical Certificate, proposed by Mr. Veitch and 

 seconded by Mr. Chittenden, was unanimously awarded. 



Jasmine with Tuberous Growths. — Specimens received from Mrs. 

 Street, Caterham, were examined by Mr. Saunders, F.L.S., who reported : 

 " It is difficult to account for the growths, as there are no signs of 

 insect or fungus. Growths of a similar appearance occur on the roots of 

 Roses, being caused by the irritation set up by ants." 



Palms and Scale Insects. — Mr. Hall, Sunderland, sent some specimens 

 upon which Mr. Saunders reported : — " The insects unfortunately arrived 

 in a bad condition. (1) a parasitic fly (?), nearly allied to the ichneumons ; 

 (2) undiscovcrable ; (3 and 4) two-winged flies (fam. MycctophilidcB), or 

 ' fungus gnats,' as the grubs feed on fungi or decaying vegetable matter ; 

 they are of no iniportancs ; (5) scale insects, but so covered with germs 

 as not to be identifiable." 



