lvi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



working through the skin, causing intense fever, and often penetrating into 

 the vitals. The chief danger of this kind arises in the autumn, when 

 the grass is in fruit. Many of the species form excellent fodder for cattle 

 at other times, such as S. spartca (Trinius), which constituted the winter 

 food of the buffalo, and is now the delight of horses in the winter season. 

 This species grows on the dry prairie ; but S. vivid ula grows around 

 badger-holes and throughout the prairie region westward to the Pacific. 

 In New Mexico, S. vividula is known as " Sleepy Grass." 



Plants exhibited. — Mr. H. J. Elwes, Colesborne, Cheltenham, brought 

 the following : — (1) Eremurus. " The leaves of this plant are damaged, 

 as I believe, by long-continued cold, wet, frost, and hail ; but Mr. Hoog 

 (Van Tubergen) thought it was a fungus which caused the decay, and 

 advised the cutting off the leaves to prevent its spreading, but I cannot 

 find after ten days that there is any confirmation of this." Dr. Cooke 

 thought that Mr. Elwes 's view was correct, and that if any fungus was 

 present it had followed on the previous decay, so that the plants should 

 not be sacrificed. (2) Eucharis grand iflora. This is attacked by a snail, 

 especially where the foliage is above the soil. Mr. Chapman suggested 

 plunging the whole pot in warm water for twenty-four hours, at intervals of 

 ten days, as this, without injuring the plant, was effective against mites. 

 (3) Hymenocallis sp. These proved to be nearly allied to H. littovalis and 

 H. cavibcea. (4) Zizania aquatica seedlings. Mr. Elwes observed that 

 though supposed to be an annual it had become a perennial. Mr. Bowles 

 added that he had had it for four years, but it had never flowered with 

 him. 



Darwin Tulips. — Mr. Shea exhibited a plant bearing four blossoms on 

 one stem. Professor Percival observed that such had occurred in Kent, 

 especially on the Darwin and old English varieties. Also that many 

 Tulips had seven or more perianth leaves, while the bracts were coloured. 

 Lastly, " singles " had become " doubles " this year. Mr. Elwes attributed 

 these abnormal conditions to the perfect season of 1901 for ripening the 

 bulbs. 



Scientific Committee, June 10, 1902. 

 Dr. M. C. Cooke in the Chair, and seven members present. 



Pear Leaves. — Mr. Saunders reported that the leaves submitted to him 

 were attacked by the Pear-mite, Eviophyes pyri. 



Fusarium Solani. — A letter was read from Professor Percival in 

 which he stated that he had proved experimentally that healthy Potatos 

 could be affected by this fungus. 



The Navcissus-fly. — Rev. W. Wilks showed specimens of the perfect 

 insect, Merodon equcstris, which he had reared from bulbs sent him 

 from Cornwall. (See p. 181, fig. GO.) 



Diseased Fit/. — A specimen was exhibited, and referred to Dr. Cooke 

 for report. No fungus was visible, and the appearance was consistent 

 with some check to growth. The Doctor reported : — " The green fruit was 

 externally blackened on the upper surface, with an exudation of gummy 

 matter around the mouth of the syconus, having a roseate tint. Neither 



