XIX 



SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE. 



January 12, 1892. 



D. Morris, Esq., in the Chair, and eight members present. 



Thelephora laciniata. — In reference to this fungus, specimens 

 of which attacking Ehododendrons were sent to a previous 

 meeting by Dr. Hugo Muller, the following note was submitted 

 by Mr. Massee : " Thelephora laciniata, Pers., is a very com- 

 mon species, as a saprophyte overrunning twigs and heaps of 

 leaves lying on the ground ; at the same time it readily passes on 

 to living branches and superficial roots, especially if the surface 

 has been abraded, and then becomes parasitic in its nature. As 

 a parasite, it has been noted on the living roots and prostrate 

 branches of ericaceous plants — Vaccinium, Erica, Calluna — in 

 Hungary by Kalchbrenner, also in England. It has also been 

 observed as a parasite on living Conifers in Germany by 

 Klotzsch." 



Beetle in Dendrobhtm. — Mr. Blandford reported that the 

 beetle referred to at a previous meeting was a Scolytid beetle 

 probably undescribed. 



Diseased Gooseberry. — Mr. Burbidge sent specimens of 

 Gooseberry branches showing globular spongy outgrowths from 

 the bark, of the size of large Cherries, and cracked on the surface. 

 Mr. Burbidge stated that the swellings produce roots with great 

 freedom if treated as ordinary cuttings. Dr. Masters called 

 attention to the similarity in appearance to the growth frequently 

 seen on Marechal Niel Boses, and also on Vines and Passion 

 Flowers ; but in the case of the Gooseberry there were often 

 numerous buds visible. In some of these cases the presence of 

 a slime fungus (Myxomycete) had been detected. Gooseberry 

 growers attributed the formation to water accumulating on the 

 branches, and promoting the formation of roots. The specimens 

 were referred to Mr. Arthur Lister. 



Black Knot. — Dr. Masters showed specimens of this disease 

 received from the United States. The disease occurs in Plum 

 trees, and is due to a fungus (Plowrightia morbosa) which pro- 

 duces a black nodulated outgrowth, spongy within, on the 

 surface of the branch. The tissues affected seem to be the inner 



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