284 
Mycologia 
it on living alder trees. Yet the statement that it actually kills 
the living branches is lacking. 
A point of interest and practical importance is the fact that the 
fungus is apparently not particular as regards the selection of its 
hosts. We find that another species, H. noxia, exhibits this same 
characteristic. This species, common in tropical regions, has re- 
cently attracted considerable attention as an active parasite on 
tea, cacao, cotton, rubber, breadfruit, camphor, etc . 9 
Although we do not believe the disease caused by Hymeno- 
chaete agglutinans is at present of any economic importance, still 
it is conceivable that under certain conditions it might be capable 
of causing appreciable damage, as when plantations of young trees 
in moist localities are in close proximity to infected trees and 
shrubs, such as alder, Vaccinium, etc. Under such circumstances 
it would of course be advisable to cut out and burn the infected 
plants. Such work would entail the expenditure of only a few 
moments’ time, and would probably save valuable trees from in- 
fection. 
Explanation of Plate CXLV 
Fig. i. Photograph showing diseased Benzoin aestivale in its natural en- 
vironment. Dead horizontal trunk of alder in the foreground, the point of 
contact of spice bush and dead alder a little below the center of the picture. 
Above this point, the withered, dead portion ; and a little to the right, vigor- 
ous young shoots which have developed from the base of the plant. 
Fig. 2. Photograph showing Hyriienochaete agglutinans originating in the 
dead alder trunk, and surrounding the stem of the spice bush. The annual 
growths of the fungus, or rather, the hymenium, are shown ; the first, a semi- 
circular patch to the left of the spice bush, and surrounding it; the second, 
extending nearly to the lateral branches above and below the point of contact, 
and the third, of a lighter color, to points beyond the branches. X 54 - 
Fig. 3. Photomicrograph of spice bush stem cut transversely a little below 
the insertion of the lower lateral branch in Fig. 2. Showing mycelium on the 
cut surface, grown out after the piece had been left with its other end in 
water for about two days. The fungus is especially active in the bark, the 
region of the cambium being shown by the dotted line. X 5. 
Fig. 4. Photograph of diseased spice bush and part of alder trunk brought 
into the laboratory. The healthy green leaves wilted during transportation. 
Fig. 5. Same as figure 2, enlarged. X 2/5. 
Osborn Botanical Laboratory, 
Yale University, 
New Haven, Conn. 
» Cook, M. T. Diseases of tropical plants. London, 1913. 
