Notes and Brief Articles 



279 



Of the fleshy forms that were eaten, the following might he 

 mentioned: Chantcrcl CJiantarcllus , Cratcrcllus cornucopioidcs, 

 Lycopcrdon cyatJiiforiuc, L. gciiniiatmii, Cortiuarius scuiisan- 

 guineus, Vaginata pluinbca, Laciaria volcma, L. corrugis, Ilydnum 

 repanduni, Boletus hicolor, Plutciis ccrvinus, and Hypouiyces 

 Lactifluoruin. Those specially avoided were species of Vene- 

 narius and brilliant clusters of Clitocyhe illudens. 



At Blue Ridge Springs, an unusual leaf-spot disease had almost 

 defoliolated several box-elders and Norway maple trees, the 

 spots being so thick on many of the leaves as to be confluent. 

 Beneath the maples, the large diseased leaves were heaped up as 

 though a heavy frost had occurred. 



The elms at Bedford City were found to be riddled by the im- 

 ported elm leaf-beetle, which, according to an observing resident 

 physician, had been abundant there every season. No one has 

 yet satisfactorily explained wdiy this pest has not been seen about 

 New York during recent years, but it may possibly have been 

 due to adverse weather conditions. 



One of the most interesting observations was made at Lynch- 

 burg, at the corner of Tenth and Harrison Streets. Here stood 

 and English walnut tree over a hundred years old, which meas- 

 ured seven feet in circumference and about sixty feet in height, 

 and had borne quantities of good nuts until about 191 5. Since 

 then, however, the nuts had been diseased and for the most part 

 worthless. Upon closer examination, some of the green fruits 

 hanging on the tree were seen to be partially blackened, while 

 many entirely blackened and decayed fruits were on the ground. 



The origin of this tree is unknown. It usually flowers in 

 March and the fruit is often killed by frost. This year, however, 

 was exceptional and the flowers appeared in February. The 

 foliage has never been diseased. Nuts from this tree have been 

 widely planted. A few blocks away there are two daughter trees 

 which bear fine, healthy fruits ; and the same is true of two large 

 trees at Rustburg. 



W. A. MURRILL 



