NOTES AND ABSTRACTS, I51 



it so robust in growth. The flowers of R. sevbica are lilac with a yellow bearded 

 throat; it is easily propagated by seeds and grows well in the same situations 

 as R. pyrenaica. — L. C. E. 



Rhododendron argyronhyllum var. leiandrum. By J. Hutchinson {Bot, 

 Mag. t. 8767; 1918). — Native of Western Szechuan. A very hardy but slow- 

 growing species. The leaves are green and glabrous above, covered beneath 

 with a white mealy indumentum, everywhere except on the midrib. The 

 flowers are rose-coloured, the corolla tubular campanulate about i£ inches 

 across. — L. C. E. 



Rhododendron brachyanthum Franch. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. 

 t. 8750; 1918). — Native of Yunnan. A neat Rhododendron discovered by 

 Mr. G. Forrest. It is quite hardy in this country, if grown in partial shade. 

 The calyx is large and rather leafy, flowers pale yellow, with the corolla tube wide 

 campanulate. — L. C. E. 



Rhododendron orbicular© Decne. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. t. 8775; 

 1918). — Native of Szechuan. A very distinct Rhododendron. Although quite 

 hardy does not seem to thrive well in this country. The leaves are elliptic- 

 orbicular, glabrous green above, glaucous and finely veined beneath. Flowers 

 nodding, rose-carmine, corolla wide, campanulate i£ inches across. — L. C. E. 



Rhododendron oreotrephes W. W. Sm. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. 

 t. 8784; 1918). — Native of Yunnan. A handsome Rhododendron discovered 

 by Mr. G. Forrest. The most striking feature of this plant is due to the bloom 

 on the underside of the leaves. The flowers are usually rose, sometimes flushed 

 with lilac or lavender. It has up to the present proved quite hardy, and in 

 its native habitat attains a height of 25 feet. — L. C. E. 



Rhododendron prostratum W. W. Smith. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. 

 t. 8747 ; 1918). — Native of Yunnan. A dwarf Rhododendron from 2 to 4 inches 

 high, perfectly hardy in this country as far as winter cold is concerned, but it 

 has not yet been seen whether its flowers will escape the late frosts. The flowers 

 are borne in terminal umbels of 1 to 3 flowers ; calyx large/ yellowish-green ; 

 corolla very wide funnel-shaped, pinkish- violet. — L. C. E. 



Rhododendron siderophyllum Franch. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. t. 8759; 

 191 8). — Native of Yunnan. A species closely allied to R. Davidsonianum, from 

 which plant it differs in its more densely glandular leaves, the under surface of 

 which in consequence has a rusty and rather dirty look. Up to the present 

 R. siderophyllum has proved quite hardy in this country. The flowers are rose- 

 coloured, slightly two-lipped, with red blotches at the back of the corolla tube. 



L. C. E. 



Rodent Pests, The Control of. By Charles J. Sorenson (U.S. Exp. Sta. f 

 Utah, Cite. 29, March 1918 ; 2 figs.). — This circular contains directions for killing 

 ground squirrels, pocket gophers, rabbits, and field mice. The formulae recom- 

 mended for the destruction of the latter pest are : — strychnine (sulphate) 1 oz. 

 chopped alfalfa leaves 30 lb., hot water 2 gallons ; dissolve the strychnine in 

 the hot water and sprinkle it over the alfalfa, previously moistened with water, 

 mix thoroughly. Put the bait in small quantities, about a teaspoonful to a 

 place, along the mouse runs and at the entrances of their burrows. Field mice 

 are active throughout the year, and feed night and day. The above method 

 of destruction is for winter use. — V. G. J. 



Rose Leaf -hopper, Life -history and Control of the. By Leroy Childs 

 (U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Oregon, Bull. 148, Feb. 1918, 10 figs. ; 1 plate, and charts). — 

 The Rose Leaf-hopper (Empoa rosae) is an apple pest, occurring in the Pacific 

 North-west. It feeds entirely on the under surface of the leaves, causing 

 mottling and yellowing of the foliage. It does not, as has been supposed, feed 

 upon the fruit : 92-7 per cent, of its over-wintering eggs are deposited in the canes 

 of the rose. There are two generations a year, and the preference of the rose 

 as an egg depository offers a medium by which this insect can be kept under 

 control. — V. G. J. 



Scabiosa Hookeri C. B. Clarke. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. t. 8774; 

 1918). — Native of Eastern Himalaya and Western China. An attractive plant 

 of about 1 foot in height. The leaves are 6 to 8 inches long, somewhat tufted 

 and very hairy. The flower heads are borne singly and slightly drooping. The 

 flowers are pale violet, with dark purple anthers. So far this species has proved 

 to be quite hardy. — L. C. E. 



