xxiv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to remove the covering, or at least to open it, so that all fumes escape 

 without any person breathing them, as they are very deadly. It is 

 curious that the insects do not infest the plants in the houses on the 

 other side of the wall. Mealy bugs do not breed in the ground, but 

 usually on the plants ; they may, however, do so at times in cracks &c. 

 in the walls. They lay their eggs in masses covered with a cotton-like 

 secretion in convenient positions on the plant." 



Plants for naming. — Shoots of Sophora tetraptera, Clianthus puniceus, 

 and another, of which the material was insufficient, were received from 

 Stockton. 



Malformed Cypripedium. — Dr. Masters, F.R.S., reported that he had 

 examined the curious Cypripedium shown at the last meeting by Mr. 

 Bennett-Poe, and found that there were three sepals, two lateral and one 

 anterior, and three petals, one posterior and two lateral. The lip was 

 normal ; the column had two staminodes, the stigma was obliquely two- 

 lobed, and the axis of the flower was diagonal, the ovary being normal 

 with one cell, and three parietal two-lobed placentae. The following 

 diagram represents the arrangement of the floral organs : — 



S S 

 P 



cc 



POP 

 L 



s 



Honcecious Mistletoe. — Dr. Masters showed a specimen of this rarely 

 occurring form on behalf of Mr. Corderoy, of Didcot, and a variety of the 

 common mistletoe having thick, leathery leaves about four times larger 

 than usual. 



Christmas Boses diseased. — Mrs. Squarey, F.R.H.S., sent leaves of 

 the Christmas Rose which had turned brown and died ; the flowers 

 appeared, but showed little above the surface of the soil. Mr. Bennett-Poe 

 said that he had found a similar thing to occur when the roots are attacked, 

 as is frequently the case, by the grubs of the crane fly. Goosebery shoots, 

 diseased cucumbers, and amaryllis bulbs were also received, and will be 

 reported upon at the next meeting. 



Scientific Committee, Januaby 22, 1907. 



The late Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and ten other 

 members present. 



Mites in Amaryllis Bulb.— My. Saunders, F.L.S., reported that he had 

 examined the bulb sent from Folkestone, and had found that it was 

 undoubtedly attacked by the bulb mite, Bhizoglyphus echinopus. He 

 could see no reason why this mite should not infest carnations, tomatoes, 

 melons, pelargoniums, begonias, cyclamen, arum lilies, and cucumbers, 

 which were also reported to be injured in a manner similar to that 

 in the Amaryllis. u As to destroying the pest, he suggested sterilising 



