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Glasgow, was in the Malay Peninsula studying the fungi I called 
his attention to it but he likewise did not get the fruit. \ have 
suspected it to be the immature state of a. species of Corticium, 
which genus is a very pestilential plant destroyer. It only, so far 
as I know, appears in wet weather, and usually in damp spots in 
the Coffee estate, especially on trees near and shaded by the 
forest which during the wet season do not get enough sun to dry 
the leaves. In dry weather, it seems quite to disappear. The 
obvious thing first, if it appears on trees near jungle edge, is to cut 
the trees of the forest back so as to let the coffee bushes get more 
light and air, and to cut off all infected twigs, leaves, and berries 
and destroy them, and should it show signs of very rapid growth, 
to spray the bushes with Bordeaux Mixture. 
The appearance of this fungus, however, may be considered as 
a sign that the estate is too damp in the places where it occurs, 
and steps should first be taken to make it dryer. — E d. 
lie- ASTYCHUS CHRYSOCHLORIS. 
Lanadron Estate, Muar, 
Via Singapore , 
Straits Settlements, 
3rd October , 1904. 
The Editor, 
The Agricultural Bulletin of the Straits & F. M. S. 
Dear Sir, 
I have read with interest the letter in your July issue from 
Mr. F. C. Robinson 011 the beetle Astychus Chrysochloris: — 
I was surprised to see that he lays special" emphasis on the “ well 
known habit of the family of shamming death on the slightest 
alarm,” for I have not found this at all the case with the 
numerous specimens I have caught here. On the contrary, when 
disturbed they at once hide behind the leaves of the tree or else 
attempt to escape by running along the twigs or branches. 
When the tree or branch on which they are is shaken they will 
drop off as though falling to the ground, but when still about 3 ft. 
from the ground they fly away, thus rendering themselves very 
difficult to follow. 
This being so, might it not be possible that there are two 
beetles, somewhat similar In appearance but different in habits? 
I remain, dear .Sir, 
Yours faithfully, 
Roger Pears. 
