SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE. 



ccxxi 



Scientific Committee, September 23, 1913. 



Mr. E. A. Bowles, M.A., F.L.S., F.E.S., in the Chair, with seven 

 members present, and Rev. J. Jacob, visitor. 



Mites on Lime Tree. — Mr. A. D. Michael, F.L.S., reported that the 

 mites on the Lime sent from Bristol to the last meeting were the 

 Lime-tree form of the common Tetranychus telarius, sometimes 

 separated under the name T. tiliarum, but really not distinct. It 

 seems unpleasantly abundant and most destructive. 



Narcissus bulbs diseased. — The bulbs sent by the Rev. J. Jacob 

 were referred at the last meeting to Kew, and it is reported that the 

 trouble, which consists of an internal rotting starting apparently 

 from the base and proceeding gradually throughout the mass, "is 

 due primarily to the fungus Fusarium bulbigenum, Cke. and Mass. 

 Eelworms, mites, &c. are secondary. Numerous Narcissus bulbs 

 attacked by this fungus have been received recently, and a detailed 

 account is in preparation." Some discussion took place regarding the 

 bulbs, which presented some curious features. There were strange 

 outgrowths from the base presenting somewhat the appearance of 

 roots covered with root hairs and about f to \ an inch in length. 

 Examination proved them to consist of masses of eelworms, some of 

 which were active, and mixed with them a few eggs. Some varieties 

 were attacked, while others growing side by side with them were 

 immune. It was thought that the attack began while the bulbs 

 were still in the ground, and was so little advanced when they were 

 lifted that it was unnoticed then. There seemed no doubt from 

 Mr. Jacob's description that the damage extended rapidly as the season 

 of storage advanced. 



Abnormal Gloxinias. — Mr. J. W. Odell reported that he had 

 examined the abnormal Gloxinias sent to the last meeting by Mrs. 

 Myles Kennedy, and found that the erect flower had four petaloid 

 outgrowths originating from the base of the corolla and adnate for 

 two-thirds of the length of the tube, terminating with a free apex. 

 The outgrowths were similar in structure and colour to the corolla, 

 and reversed as they are in some semi-double Primulas, the spotted 

 surfaces of the outgrowths being turned to the inner surface of the 

 corolla. The stamens corresponded in number and position to the 

 outgrowths (two being suppressed), the filaments being adherent to 

 the walls of the corolla and to the centre of the outgrowths. The 

 anthers were basifixed at the apex of the outgrowths. In place of 

 the normal six glands were five unequal structures, bifid, and thus 

 resembling staminodes. The ovary was normal. 



Mr. Odell showed other abnormal forms of Gloxinia for comparison 

 (see p. ccxxiv.). 



Aristolochia sempervirens fruiting. — Mr. Bowles showed, on behalf 

 of Canon Ellacombe, some fruits of this Aristolochia from Bitton. 

 There seems no previous record of its fruiting in this country. 



