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to visit Penang and examine the affected trees. Together we 
examined a large number of trees and took specimens of the roots, 
bark, and wood, Mr. Gallagher succeeded in finding numerous 
hyphje of an unknown fungus in the cell tissue, but was unable 
to determine the species in the absence of the Carposphores or 
spore-bearing portion of the fungus. Subsequently I collected a 
number of these Carposphores and sent them to Kew where they were 
examined by Mr. Massee the Mycologist there. They proved to be 
of three species, two non-parasitic, and one, by far the commonest, 
parasitic and presumably the one causing the mischief. It is named 
Polystictus Occidentals. I attach a copy of Mr. Massee’s Memorandum 
on the material sent, I also received a symphathetic letter from the 
Director of Kew, Lt. Col. Prain, who mentioned that the Angsana 
was one of his favourite trees when in India, he told me what I was 
not aware of before that the tree is not a native of India as its name 
would suggest, but that it was introduced from the Moluccas, where 
it is really wild. It will be seen from Mr. Massee’s notes that he 
thinks there is no known cure, the remedial measures he suggests can 
only be regarded as slightly prolonging the life of the tree. Since the 
receipt of this communication I have read some extremely interesting 
work done by Mr. G. F. Scott-Elliot in the curing of plant diseases. 
The method adopted, is by the injection of antitoxin as is done in 
medical practice. He also mentions an experiment made by 
Mohrzecki, where an apple tree suffering from chlorosis or the yellows 
which presented a sickly and languishing appearance due to the 
chlorophyll (green colouring matter of plants), having developed 
imperfectly. An injection was made into the trunk of an apple tree 
(9 inches in diameter) of a solution containing 12 grams of iron 
sulphate. In ten days there was no trace of chlorosis, and alter 
3 weeks, the leaves were dark green, and to all appearances perfectly 
sound and healthy. Mr. Elliot describes the method as exceedingly 
simple, using plasticine or putty, in the case of small trees to make a 
circular basin round the stem, which is filled with water containing 
the solution of the fungicide. In the case of large trees like our 
Angsana it would probably not be necessary to make a basin all 
round the tree, but probably a series of cups at short intervals round 
the base of the tree would suffice. The stem is then pierced with a 
sharp knife when the fungicide would pass into the sieve tubes and 
so be taken up by the sap, and come in contact with the disease. 
Injection does not seem to be so successful with resinous, and 
possibly also latex bearing trees. The method however, which is 
only outlined here seems to alford a very promising field for experi- 
ments. 
W. Fox, 
Superintendent, Forests and Gardens, Penang. 
Forests and Gardens Office, Penang. 
28th February, 1910. 
