SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, JULY 2 3. 
xcix 
new roots in various stages were coming on, and quite healthy. The 
younger leaves, however, seemed weak, with a tendency to become dis- 
coloured. Acting on previous experience, these were allowed to dry up, 
and, as on some other occasions, they produced groups of tiny points— 
the * pycnidia ' of a fungus. It is from the rosettes of young leaves 
that the flowers arise, so that there may be a connection. On one of the 
specimens sent the flower-stalk did not collapse, and the weakly younger 
leaves were absent from the shoot bearing this flower, though present 
elsewhere on the same plant. The fungus requires further investigation, 
but spores obtained were of the Glceosporium or Colletotrichum type, 
GlceosjJormm cinctum was described by Berkeley and Curtiss from Orchid 
material. The same species was recently worked through by Miss Stone- 
man, and placed amongst the Ascomycetes (Botanical Gazette, August 
1898). Mr. Massee described another Orchid fungus on the Vanilla 
[Kew Bulletin, 189, 1892). I have received various cases from the 
Gardeners' Chronicle of diseased Orchids, all indicating the presence of 
some form of fungus nearly related to Gloeosporium. The disease is 
known as an ' Anthracnose,' and seems common enough, but we still lack 
rehable methods of prevention." 
Diseased Aijple-trees, — " Twigs of Apple with leaves and flowers 
were received in June. After being kept for twenty-four hours in a 
moist chamber, abundant conidia of the fungus Monilia [O'idium) fructi- 
gcna were produced. This fungus is well known, and at present the 
subject of much investigation, since it causes a widespread disease of the 
fruit (also to a less extent on the leaves and twigs) of Cherry, Plum, and 
Peach, less commonly of Apple and Pear. All the parts sent were 
affected. The flowers were checked and withered ; the leaves reddish- 
brown, abnormally hairy, and somewhat crumpled. The young twigs 
were dry and brittle, with occasional patches of brown bark marked with 
darker bands running round the twig. Internal examination showed the 
mycelium in every part. In the twigs, the region just under the bark 
was killed and full of mycelium, which could be traced from old to young 
shoots, and into the flower-stalks and leaves. In the absence of informa- 
tion we cannot suggest how the fungus gained access to the Apple-trees. 
The fungus is generally regarded as the same form so common on Cherry 
and Plum, causing the fruits to shrivel up and remain hanging to the 
tree in a mummified condition. Keeping this in view, it would be well 
to pay attention to the trees already mentioned, to gather any dried-up 
fruits, and to burn them. Careful pruning and destruction of diseased 
twigs is also an excellent check. Spraying with Bordeaux Mixture 
seems a likely mode of treatment, but the results as yet are not conclu- 
sive. A monograph on the fungus and disease is promised by Woronin 
in a recent note [Botan. Centi'alhlatt, Ixxvi. p. 145)." 
Stratiotes aloides. — A large specimen of this rare plant was sent by 
Mr. J. G. Rudd, of Copgrove Grange, Copgrove, Yorkshire, with the 
following observation : — " This plant grows in a pond on my farm, and 
is smothering the Water Lilies. One of my horses has eaten freely of it, 
and died, apparently from its effects ; so I shall be glad to know if it is- 
poisonous." It is not known to be at all poisonous, as it is a very rare 
British plant ; but it is possible that the sharp-pointed projections down 
