SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, JUNE 25. 



Xli 



was present. On plot No. 2, although the plant could be seen, it was 

 small (not advanced in growth), but during December, January, and 

 February, plots 1 and 3 appeared to lose plants with a black mould 

 prevalent upon the plant. No. 2, as growing weather came along, showed 

 evidence of great vitality, and produced a magnificent crop of red clover. 

 In the other plots, although the same quantity of seed was used, clover 

 almost entirely died out during the winter months. Several members 

 demurred to the statement that the fungus (Sclerotinia trifoliorum), which 

 so frequently appears connected with dying clover, accompanied the death 

 of most annuals, and the Committee desired to hear the result of other 

 experiments upon the plants. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to 

 Mr. Leighton. 



Abnormal Cabbage. — W. Marshall, Esq., V.M.H., sent a cabbage from 

 the leaves»of which numerous cup-shaped growths had arisen, many upon 

 long stalks taking their origin in the midrib of the leaf. The monstrous 

 condition of mignonette referred to by Professor J. Henslow (" Trans. 

 Camb. Phil. Soc." vol. v.) appears to present a similar phenomenon. 



Carnation Flowers rotting. — Flowers of carnation were received 

 which had rotted at the base of the petals, and had large black masses 

 (sclerotia) among the decayed portions. The trouble was due to the 

 growth of the fungus Botrytis cinerea, which had found congenial 

 conditions for its development between the closely packed petals of the 

 flower. 



Double Miltonia vexillaria. — In reference to this flower, shown at the 

 last meeting from Baron Schroder, Mr. Worsdell, F.L.S., reported that it 

 was a good case of true doubling in which the column was split up ; the 

 stamens and carpels had become petaloid so as to form three or four extra 

 whorls of petals (labella on one side of the flower, ordinary petals on the 

 other side), while the outer whorls of the flower were quite normal. 



Sporting Coleus. — Mr. Divers showed a large Coleus having branches 

 bearing at least five variations in the markings and coloration of the 

 leaf different from those appearing in the first formed shoot. It is rarely 

 that so many sports are to be seen upon one plant. 



Plane diseased. — Shoots of plane (Platanus acerifolia) were shown 

 from Romsey by Mr. Odell, which looked as though they had been 

 injured by frost, but which had been attacked by the fungus Gloeosporium 

 neruiscquum, and this had caused the destruction of the shoots. 



