538 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The authors have also prepared eleven diagrams showing the varia- 

 tions in spore measurement. The coefficient of variation is as much as 

 26*781 + -503 in Ascochyta Ghrysanthemi (smaller pycnidia) and also 

 varies according to the medium in which the fungus is grown. 



The facts observed by the writers have a very important bearing upon 

 the classification and taxonomy of fungi. This is especially the case as 

 regards " paired " species of the Imperfecti which grow upon the same 

 host and only differ in one character (e.g. Cylindrothecium and Septoria 

 Chrysanthemi). In some cases the essential descriptive characters of a 

 fungus were altered without difficulty by changes in the substratum or 

 other environmental factors, and the spores were also shown to vary so 

 much in size as to make any use of their measurements in classification 

 of very doubtful value. Thus for Septoria Lycopersici the mean on apple 

 agar was 21-507 and on pure agar 31'675. — G. F. S.-E. 



Fungus-like Appearance on Imported and Exported Apple 

 Trees. By D. McAlpine (Jour. Dep. Agr. Vict. ; July 1909). — Excessive 

 development of lenticels on Northern Spy stock was mistaken for 

 disease on trees exported from Victoria to the Transvaal. — C. H. H. 



Fungus Poisoning". By H. H. Edwards (Jour. Dep. Agr. Vict. ; 

 March 1909, p. 157). — It has been observed that no hard-and-fast rule 

 can be laid down as to which fungi are poisonous, and which are not : 

 e.g. the common mushroom (the Agaricus campestris), an article of diet 

 in England and Australia, is a deadly poison in Bussia ; and other species, 

 which are eaten with impunity in Italy and Switzerland are known to 

 produce poisonous effects when grown in England. Thus it seems that 

 climatic and other influences have a great deal to do with the formation 

 and elaboration of the poisonous principle, which is said to be of a volatile 

 nature and soluble in water. Taylor describes the styptic astringent taste 

 of poisonous fungi as being a narcotico-irritant poison. It is certain that 

 if a fungus be grown in any other than itsrproper season, or in a dark 

 place, the elaboration of the " f ungin " will be increased and therefore 

 the fungus should be looked upon with suspicion. Edwards records the 

 poisoning of two cows after eating fifteen to twenty puff-balls (Lycoperdon 

 giganteum). — C. H. H. 



Gerbera Jamesonii hybrids, (i) By C. A., (ii) by B. Adnet (Le 

 Jard,, vol, xxiii. No. 533, p. 136 ; May 5, 1909 ; 1 fig., coloured plate).— 

 Gerbera is easily raised from seed, but care should be taken to remove the 

 little silky hair with which (like many Compositae) it is protected. If this 

 is buried too the seed will not germinate. Sow the seed in pots, not in the 

 open ; but plant out early. It likes plenty of air and manure and not too 

 much water. It needs greenhouse protection during the winter with us, 

 but is hardy on the Riviera. 



The hybrid forms were first produced by Mr. Irwin Lynch at Cam- 

 bridge as a cross between G. Jamesonii and G. viridifolia ; M. Adnet 

 has now obtained over 150 different colours. The six best are Made- 

 moiselle Euau, pure white ; Madame Ph. de Vilmorin, clear pink ; Madame 

 Booch, orange pink ; M. Irwin Lynch, purple ; President Gravereau, 



