elxxii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



haulms, Tomato stems, Cucumber stems, and even old Chrysanthemum 

 stems, and is a prelude to the sclerotia which have been found afterwards 

 in the centre of such stems, giving rise to that form of Peziza which 

 has been called Sclerotinia sclcrotiorum (Mass.). 



•• Moreover, the evidence is not forthcoming that this white flocculent 

 matter occurs upon the stems of Chrysanthemum during active life, and 

 that it is a true parasite, and not a saprophyte. No suggestion has been 

 made of any attempt to inoculate healthy plants with this assumed 

 parasite. We have failed to discover that the fungus mycelium belongs 

 to the Basidiomycetes, and hence that it is either Corticium or Hypoclinus. 

 We find also that it is equally consistent and probable that the fungoid 

 growth belongs to the preliminary condition of the sclerotium disease of 

 Potato haulms and other similar plants, and that, with a known disease 

 sufficient to account for the appearances, it is at least unwise to assign 

 another problematical cause." 



Scientific Committee, November 15, 1904. 



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

 Mr. Webb, visitor. 



Prof. Henslow. — On the motion of Dr. Masters, it was resolved that 

 <; This Committee, on hearing of the resignation of its Secretary, the 

 Rev. Prof. Henslow, Y.M.H., desires to place on record its sense of 

 gratitude for the unvarying courtesy and marked ability he has shown 

 in the disinterested discharge of his duties during a period of a quarter 

 of a century. The Committee trusts that, although the Professor is 

 compelled by circumstances to retire from the regular duties of his office, 

 it may still be able to profit by his experience and to welcome him 

 occasionally at its meetings." The resolution was carried by acclamation, 

 all the members up-standing. 



Mignonette attacked by Eelworms. — Mr. Saunders, F.L.S., reported 

 on plants sent from Hillingdon : — " The plants were badly attacked. The 

 best thing to do is to burn all infected plants, and the soil they are 

 growing in. Every care should be taken that none of the soil should 

 get mixeil with soil that is not infected, either on the potting-bench or 

 elsewhere ; and the pots in w T hich the plants were growing should be 

 baked or thoroughly boiled before being used again." 



Palm-scale. — Mr. Saunders reported upon Palm-leaves attacked by 

 scale : " The specimens sent are the scale insects, Aspidiotus hedercs, 

 a very common insect on various plants in stoves and greenhouses. The 

 best means of destroying them is to w T ash them off with a sponge and 

 soft-soap and water, or a solution of paraffin emulsion. A detailed 

 description is given in Ncwslcad's Coccida. The eggs of these insects are 

 laid beneath the scale of the female, and when the young are hatched 

 they spread themselves over the plants until they find a suitable position ; 

 they then thrust their proboscis into the leaf and remain in that place 

 for the rest of their lives." 



Boots attacked by various pests.— With reference to some Daisies, 

 Mr. Saunders observed that "it is a good way to destroy various pests 



