NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



463 



into spineless trees. No fungal disease of any practical significance is 

 known to attack these trees, but several insect pests do considerable 

 damage at times, and some species of Loranthaceae cause considerable 

 trouble in Java. 



Capoc wool is not suitable for spinning, but it is of much use for 

 packing pillows, mattresses, and especially swimming-belts and other 

 such life-saving apparatus. It possesses great buoyancy, is wetted with 

 difficulty, and is very resistant to the influence of sea-water. — R. B. 



Carbonic Acid, Feeding Plants with. By H. Fischer (Garten- 

 flora, vol. lxi. pt. xiv. pp. 298-307). — Plants grown in an atmosphere 

 enriched with carbonic acid develop rapidly, flower freely, and resist 

 the attacks of pests. The treatment is carried on in a greenhouse or 

 glass case in bright weather ; the gas is generated by the action of 

 hydrochloric acid (strong acid mixed with an equal volume of water) 

 on marble or limestone, using half an ounce of marble and ij to 2 

 cubic inches of the diluted acid for each square yard occupied by the 

 plants. The vessel containing the mixture must be raised above 

 the ground, and the house closed for one hour. The operation may 

 be repeated twice daily. The carbonic acid may also be prepared by 

 burning small quantities of spirits of wine. — S. E. W. 



Carludovica atrovirens. By P. Jancke (Gartenflora, vol. lxi. 

 pt. xxiii. p. 526 ; 1 fig.). — Carludovica atrovirens is found in the forests 

 of tropical America. It attains a height of 4 feet, succeeds in the hot- 

 house in a mixture of loam and peat, and likes plenty of water. — 5. E.W. 



Carnations, Henri Vacherot's Strain. By Henri Vacherot (Rev. 

 Hort. Oct. 16, 1912 ; p. 471 ; 1 illustration and coloured plate). — 

 Both plates illustrate a very fine strain, claimed to be distinguished 

 by long stalks, floriferousness, hardiness, not dainty as to soil, and 

 requiring no disbudding. Shown to advantage at Holland Park after 

 a journey and nine days' persistence. Silver cup at International 

 Exhibition. — C. T. D. 



Carnations, History of Garden. By E. M. Kronfeld (Oestr. Gart. 

 Zeit. vol. vii. pt. vii. pp. 241-251, pt. viii. pp. 285-294, pt. ix. pp. 332- 

 340, pt. x. pp. 362-389, pt. xi. pp. 405-415; 31 figs., 1 col. plate). — 

 The carnation (Dianthus Caryophyllus) was a rare flower in Britain 

 and Germany in the middle of the fifteenth century ; its native habitat 

 was probably the African coast of the Mediterranean. The author 

 points out frequent allusions to this flower in literature, and numerous 

 representations of it in art. — S. E. W. 



Catalpa, Wood Rots of. By N. E. Stevens (Phytopathology, ii. 

 p. 114 ; June 1912 ; plates). — It has been stated that saprophytic 

 fungi never attack 'the wood of the Catalpa, but the author shows that 

 this statement is erroneous, and that Polystictus versicolor is particularly 

 bad, and Schizophyllum commune, Polyporus adustus, and Stereum 

 albobadium also attack the same wood. — F. J. C. 



