Xlli PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
produced no evidence of a parasite. The bulbs were sound. As 
far as these specimens are concerned I am of opinion that no disease 
of a fungoid nature exists in the bulbs to account for the decay, 
and that the cause must be sought in some external circumstances 
of soil or cultivation, and not in the bulbs themselves. 1 do not 
think that Sclerotia on the dried outer fibrous coats, and without 
any mycelium, have any connection with decay of‘the leaves.— 
M. Cooke , March 18.” 
Distorted Branches of Morse Chestnut .—Sir J. Hooker showed 
some young branches of Horse Chestnut distorted in a peculiar 
manner. He observed it for the first time this year at Kew, where 
it had appeared in two or three places. The twig was abruptly 
curved out of its normal line of growth. He had carefully ex¬ 
amined the branches for signs of injury by insects, but could detect 
nothing; nor had the shoot been pecked at by birds ; nor was there 
any indications of fungoid growth to account for the distortion. 
Acarus on Blanes .—Sir Joseph Hooker also showed specimens 
of a minute scarlet Acarus, which had been found under the fiaky 
outer bark, where it joins the living tissue of some plane trees, 
which had got out of health. They had not been seen in any 
other part of the gardens, though they had been searched for. It 
was considered that the insects were the consequence and not the 
cause of the ill-health of the trees. They were referred to Mr. 
McLachlan for report. 
Flora and Fauna Turkestan.— Mr. McLachlan gave some par¬ 
ticulars as to the great publication now taking place by various 
naturalists, Russians and others, illustrative of the natural history 
of Turkestan. 
Rose Willow , fyc.— Hr. Masters showed specimens from Mr. 
Parker of the formation known as Rose "Willow, a tuft of leaves or 
scales increased in size from the attack of a Cecidomyia. A speci¬ 
men of a fungus found growing on Japanese acorns was also exhi¬ 
bited, which was identified by Lr. Cooke as Schhojohyllum commune. 
Sports of Pteris arguta.—'Kr. Moore showed specimens of this 
Fern from the" Azores, presenting remarkable variations, particulars 
of which, together with some further information on this subject, 
will be found in a paper contributed by Mr. Moore to the Journal 
of the Society. 
Fungoid Diseases of the Vine.—Dr. Cooke read the third part of 
his communication upon this subject, which is published in the 
present number of the Society’s Journal. 
