XX PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



layers of the bark and the cambium layer, the cells of which are 

 disintegrated and broken up into a spongy mass. The disease 

 has been described by Professor Farlow, and is very common in 

 America, but, happily, it is scarcely, if at all, known here. De- 

 struction by fire of the affected branches is the only remedy that 

 can be suggested, though probably spraying with sulphate of 

 copper in an early stage would be effective. 



Eucalyptus. — Dr. Masters exhibited a branch of Eucalyptus* 

 globulus, in which the usually smooth surface of the bark was- 

 broken up into an irregularly lobed, corky mass. The branch 

 had been received from Professor McOwan, of Cape Town, and it 

 was considered by him that the disease might be due to the 

 presence of bacteria. A specimen had been previously sent to 

 Professor Marshall Ward, who has promised to report upon it. 



Scientific Committee, February 9, 1892. 



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



Excrescence from Stems of Gooseberries. — Mr. Lister reported 

 that there was no slime fungus on the specimens sent ; and Mr. 

 Massee, who also examined the specimens, failed to find traces 

 of fungoid growth. From the presence of one or more maggots 

 in the tumour, Mr. Massee suggested that the outgrowths were 

 attributable to insect agency, but on a review of all the circum- 

 stances it seemed as if the restriction caused by a shred, and the 

 accumulation of moisture, were the predisposing causes of the 

 growth. 



Hellebores. — Mr. Burbidge, in a letter, commented on the 

 circumstance that cut flowers of Helleborus niger remain un- 

 withered much longer than those of H. orientalis, a circumstance 

 probably due to a difference in internal structure. Dr. Scott 

 undertook to examine and report. Mention was also made by 

 Mr. Burbidge of the circumstance that flowers of H. niger gently 

 forced last in good condition in water much longer than do 

 flowers of the same variety in the open air. The flowers of 

 H. niger last longer in water if the stalks be slit lengthwise from 

 below upwards. The result is that, the tension being removed, 

 tne cut segments of the stem curl outwards away from the 

 centre, and that a larger absorbent surface is exposed. 



