24 
The Association of Economic Biologists . 
valuable not only for its economic interest, but also for the 
remarkably clear exposition given of Mendelian laws. 
Mr. E. S. Salmon dealt with the American Gooseberry Mildew, 
bringing forward a mass of evidence to demonstrate that it was an 
introduced, epidemic, fungus disease invading Europe, and advocating 
legislative action for its suppression. The paper lead to an 
interesting discussion, in the course of which Professor Middleton 
stated the position of the Board of Agriculture. 
The Spruce-gall and Larch-blight diseases caused by Chermes 
were described by Mr. E. R. Burdon, who traced in detail the 
morphological and anatomical changes induced in the plants 
attacked, as well as the complicated life-history of the aggressor. 
Mr. W. G. Freeman’s paper on the Geographical Distribution, 
natural and artificial, of the principal rubber-yielding plants, 
summarized the present position of rubber-production and pointed 
out the complexity of the factors controlling the introduction and 
cultivation of these plants in new countries. In a second paper 
Mr. Freeman illustrated the use of economic botanical collections in 
the teaching of geography. 
A full account of the meeting and the papers read will appear 
in due course in the proceedings of the Association. It is proposed 
to hold the next meeting in London, perhaps at the Imperial 
Institute, South Kensington, in July, and the succeeding meeting in 
Edinburgh at Easter, 1908. It is gratifying to be able to record that 
the Association continues to gain strength in a satisfactory manner, 
nearly thirty new members being elected at Cambridge. In common 
with many other gatherings the value of the Association is not to 
be gauged merely by the papers and discussions. Problems in 
Economic Biology are frequently very intricate. The co-operation 
of Botanist and Zoologist is often advisable, and sometimes 
essential. Meetings such as these, in which workers in various 
branches of applied Biology gather together, under pleasant social 
conditions, with opportunities for informal discussion of topics of 
mutual interest, will undoubtedly play an increasingly useful part. 
W.G.F. 
’tA.9* 
R. Madley, Printer. 151, Whitfield Street, Fitzroy Square, W. 
