lxii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



thought that neither was sufficient to cause the decay which had gone on 

 to the depth of J inch at the base of the tuber. The two smaller plants 

 had healthy tubers so far as could be seen. Mr. Odell had also examined 

 them and reported : — " The decay at the base of the tubers was not unlike 

 in appearance the yellow root-rot of the hyacinth. I could not find any- 

 thing to account for decay beyond a few springtails. and these I think 

 would not cause so much injury. In the decayed portion there was 

 evidence of bacteria due rather to the decayed matter than contributing 

 to the cause of the decay, as I could not trace any bacteria high up in the 

 tuber. I have isolated the plant, and shall attempt to grow it on for 

 further examination, when I will submit it to the Committee. From the 

 growers' remarks, drastic measures have been taken to remedy the trouble. 

 I would suggest destroying the stock, taking care that the soil in which 

 the plants have been grown be burnt or treated with lime, and that the 

 pots be washed with a strong carbolic solution." 



Vine Leaves Spotted. — Vine leaves were received from Eoehampton 

 having a large number of small blackish spots upon them. It was thought 

 that the trouble was due to the lack of sufficient ventilation. Dr. Cooke 

 took some to examine further. 



Horse-chestnut Ticigs Damaged. — Twigs from which the bark had 

 been removed on one side near the beginning of last season's growth, 

 curiously twisted and bent, were received from Wyraondhani. Mr. 

 Saimders undertook to report upon them at the next meeting. 



Fasciation. — Mr. Chittenden showed an example of this in the 

 terminal flower of the hyacinth, and Mr. Worsdell showed fasciated aerial 

 roots of ivy reaching half an inch in breadth in some cases. He con- 

 sidered the fasciation was brought about by a dichotomy of the growing- 

 point, and it was suggested that this might be due to injury by insects, 

 Arc. Dr. Masters mentioned that a similar growth was sometimes seen in 

 orchid roots and in roots of some of the Cactacea. 



Narcissus Fiy. — Mr. Chitteuden showed specimens of this fly 

 [Merodon equestris) which he had bred, showing considerable variation 

 in colour, from a foxy-red throughout to the commoner form with blackish 

 bands. 



Witch's Broom on Hornbeam. — Mr. Odell showed specimens of this 

 similar in appearance to these commonly seen on birch, caused by a mite 



(Eriophyes). 



Geographical Forms of Narcissus Bulboeodium — Miss Willmott, 

 Y.M.H., exhibited a collection of 3T. Bulboeodium from all the known 

 habitats of that species, showing a very large amoimt of variation both in 

 foliage and flower. 



^Malformed Iris. — Mr. Worsley showed flowers of Iris tuberosa in 

 which the stamens were branched, so that there were six or more anthers 

 in each flower. Dr. Masters undertook to examine them. 



