NOTES AND ABSTRACTS, 



589 



colour canary yellow, slightly carmine tinted at tips and sometimes atbase 

 of petals ; highly recommended. — C. T. D. 



Para Rubber Seed. By H. F. Macmillan and T. Petch (Agr. 

 Jour. Boy. Bot. Gard. Ceylon, iv. 11 ; May 1908). — It is shown that 

 Para rubber seed very quickly loses its germination capacity on drying, 

 and that the seed from trees which are regularly tapped are smaller and 

 weigh less than those from trees which are not tapped. — F. J. C. 



Parasites: Value of Introducing Parasites on Beneficial 

 Insects. By Walter W. Froggatt, F.L.S. (Journ. Imp. Dep. Agr. W.I. 

 vol. ix. No. 3, p. 262). — Pointing out the value of introducing insects 

 which prey upon the pests that are destructive to economic plants in 

 various countries, but urging that this should be done under the super- 

 vision of fully qualified entomologists. — M. C. C. 



Peach Borer, The Lesser. By A. A. Girault (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. 

 Bur. Entom., Bull. 68, Part IV. ; October 1907 ; 4 figs.).— One of the 

 clear-wing moths (Sanninoidea exitiosa Say) has been found very 

 commonly attacking peaches, and now a second species is described 

 as doing great damage, viz. Synanthedon pictipes G. & E. The 

 damage done is, however, mostly to injured trees ; and, following a 

 wound in the bark, the larvae feed upon the soft tissues of the cambium 

 and the adjacent cells. Two broods are found during the year, and a full 

 life-history and description of their habits are given. It is recommended 

 that every possible means of keeping the tree in good health should be 

 taken, and all wounds should be promptly dressed. The larvae should 

 be hunted for and destroyed in the spring, and it is necessary to cut away 

 the affected bark to reach them. — F. J. C. 



Perowskia atriplicifolia {Die Garteniv. lxiii., Dec. 12, 1908). — A 

 shrub or sub-shrub of the family Labiatae. It attains a height of about 

 3 to 4 feet, and has lanceolate silvery leaves and wiry, silvery stems. 

 The flowers are blue and appear from the end of August to October. 

 Well adapted for a dry sunny position. — G. B. 



Petunia, Dwarf, * Oeillet Rose.' By G. T. Grignan (Bev. Hort. 

 November 16, 1908, pp. 520-1 ; coloured plate and photos). — A very 

 pretty deep rose, double flower, highly recommended for borders as 

 a dwarf or as pot or basket plant. A long descriptive list of other good 

 varieties is given. — C. T. D. 



Plant Diseases. Eeport 1907, by T. W. Kirk, F.L.S. {Dep. Agr. 

 Bep. N.Z. October 1907 ; with 29 plates and numerous woodcuts). — This 

 report includes the occurrence and remedies of plant diseases in New 

 Zealand for 1907, chiefly those already known, both of fungus and insect 

 origin. Then follows a record of the fruit industry, with insect and other 

 parasites, concluding with a report on the New Zealand International 

 Exhibition.— M. C. C. 



Plant Diseases of Indiana in 1906. By Frank D. Kern {U.S.A. 

 Exp. Stn. Purdue University, No. 119, March 1907). — List of the various 



