338 



Mycologia 



Povah has studied poplar canker, caused by Cytospora chryso- 

 sperma, in an area near Syracuse, New York, where the trees 

 were weakened by fire, and he finds that in this area 68 per cent, 

 of the poplars were infected and over 30 per cent, killed. Three 

 species of poplars were observed and subjected to inoculation ex- 

 periments. See Phytopathology for April, 192 1. 



A long illustrated paper on " Cultural Studies of Species of 

 Actinomyces " by S. A. Waksman, appeared in Soil Science for 

 August, 1919. This is a notable contribution to our knowledge of 

 soil organisms, the importance of which is being more and more 

 recognized. The paper contains a key to the species of Actino- 

 myces based chiefly on biochemical characters. 



Mr. Paul C. Standley has called my attention to an article by 

 Hans Schinz, entitled " Der Pilzmarkt der Stadt Zurich der Jahre 

 1918 und 1919 im Lichte der stadtischen Kontrolle," published in 

 Vierteljahr. Naturf. Gesell. Zurich, vol. 56, p. 530. The control 

 of mushroom markets must come in this country as soon as wild 

 mushrooms are offered for sale in any quantity. 



A dangerous tobacco disease has appeared in the southern 

 United States, according to Smith and McKenney, apparently due 

 to Peronospora Hyoscyami, which was originally described by 

 DeBary from the black nightshade of Europe. This downy mil- 

 dew attacks the tobacco seedlings in the plant beds, causing great 

 havoc. In Florida, Bordeaux has proven more effective than in 

 Australia, but spraying experiments are still incomplete. 



Entoloma albidum Murrill, a species originally described from 

 Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is reported by Dr. H. D. House as the 

 cause of violent illness when eaten by a family of five in Albany 

 late in August, 1921. Specimens were submitted to me for identi- 

 fication. Entoloma lividum, of Europe, is dangerously poisonous, 

 and American species of this genus are naturally under suspicion, 

 but few of them have been tested. 



