217 
Fungus on Para Rubber Tree. 
The fungus proves to be an undescribed species of Eutypn, and 
will be called E. cauhvora. It is probably a true parasite, Judging 
from what is known respecting other species of Eutypa, a constant 
feature of which is that the fungus persistently remains in a vegeta- 
tive— and thus aggressive— condition, so long as its host remains 
alive, and only comes to the surface to produce fruit when the host 
is absolutely dead. The numerous black streaks, deep in the wood of 
the specimen sent, are produced by the mycelium of the fungus, 
which in all probability permeated the whole of the wood, and had 
been at work for a considerable period of time. Such a development 
of mycelium is unknown as a post mortem result. 
George Massee. 
6/iv/io. 
Dr. Prain adds : “ I do not like the look of the thing at all. ” 
My impression was that it was altogether a post mortem fungus, 
but it is possible that this is not the case. I cannot find any account 
of any species of the genus in such fungus books as we have here, so 
cannot add any more information about it. 
As the plant does not produce fruit till the tree is quite dead and 
indeed not for some weeks later, there ought to be no difficulty in 
keeping it from doing damage by simply destroying all dead trees or 
timber and taking care not to leave piles of logs and sticks lying 
about near the plantation. But as in all other cases the planter must 
keep a sharp look-out for this as for any other fungus, and nip it in 
the mycelium. 
Death from unknown cause even of one or two seedlings ought 
to be investigated by the planter, and if he cannot convince himself 
reasonably that it was due to definite accident, or is not clear as to 
the cause, he should at least watch to see if it is disease and is show- 
ing signs of spreading. We have seen a case of out-break of Fomes 
put down by the planter as due to oversetting of the trees by wind, 
when it was sufficiently obvious that wind could not have blown over 
those particular trees. 
It is a matter of sound policy for the planter on finding trees 
dying suspiciously to call the attention of one of the scientific staffs 
to the fact, with a view of checking the outbreak. 
A native concealing a case of cholera or small-pox in his house 
is properly punished and it should be made imperative that cases of 
such infectious diseases as Diplodia should be reported to the Agri- 
cultural Authorities to take measures or cause measures to be taken 
1 to stop the disease at once. Plant disease indeed should be as much 
/// under control as animal disease. 
