xxxvi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Scientific Committee, Febbuaby 25, 1902. 



Mr. A. D. Michael in the Chair, with sixteen members present 

 and Mr. Carruthers (visitor). 



Diseased Leaves of Odontoglossum. — Mr. Chapman showed leaves 

 showing discoloration and shrivelling of the leaf-tips, attributable to 

 excessive moisture and unfavourable climatic conditions. There was no 

 trace of fungus. 



Alleged Hybrid between Pea and Dwarf Bean. — Dr. Masters showed 

 a Pea-like seed raised, as was stated, between a dwarf Bean and one of 

 the culinary Peas. The seeds of the Bean-parent were shown, in the 

 form of small, flattened, kidney-shaped seeds, of a shining chestnut- 

 brown colour. The supposed hybrid seed resembled a smooth round Pea 

 in size, form, and colour. As there was only one seed available, no 

 minute examination was made, but the seed was forwarded to Chiswick 

 to be grown and reported on. [Chiswick. August 5, 1902. — The supposed 

 hybrid seed grew freely exactly like the dwarf French Bean seeds which 

 were sent as specimens of its parent. There is at this present time 

 absolutely no difference in flower, or foliage, or growth, or fruit. All are 

 in every respect identical with the one parent. We therefore conclude 

 that the seed was a deformed albino Bean seed, and had no Pea whatever 

 in it. — Ed.] 



Xarcissus posticus ornatus. — Mr. Jenkins sent flowers of this variety 

 to show the manner in which the coloured edge of the corona was eaten 

 off by slugs, leaving the yellow cup untouched. Whether the slugs are 

 attracted by the reddish colour or seductive flavour of the rim of the 

 corona, or by some other inducement, is a matter for investigation. 



Burr on JEsculus sp. — From the Botanic Garden, Bath, came a 

 globular woody excrescence, crowded with buds and contracted shoots. 

 The tree is reported to bear numerous similar burrs, varying in size from 

 a hen's egg to two feet across, studded all over with small spur like 

 growths two or three inches long, from some of which flowers protrude, 

 so that their appearance is at that period very peculiar and attractive. 

 It was suggested that these outgrowths might be the result of the 

 irritation set up by mites or by fungus (Exoascus). There were 

 originally six specimens in the gardens, but four of them have already 

 been cut down on account of their ungainly tendency to burr. The trees 

 were of JE. carnea or JE. rubicunda, and were all grafted on the common 

 Chestnut, and it is only the scion, never the stock, which has been 

 affected. 



Burr on Allamauda. — A similar production on the branch of an 

 Allamauda was shown from Mr. Bedford, Straffan Gardens, Kildare ; but 

 in this case there were no buds or shoots. It was suggested that the 

 irritation occasioned by ants was competent to induce such growth. 



Diseased Leaves. — Miss Dryden sent various leaves, as follows : — (1) 

 Violet leaves. These were affected with red-spider and thrips, for which 

 the application of tobacco-water and soft-soap as a wash was recommended. 

 (2) Leaves of bulbous plant from Burmah. These were marked by red 

 streaks, and ultimately by the decay and shrivelling of the tip of the leaf. 

 The appearances were such as are occasioned by thrip, for which 



