“ TULIP-ROOT,” OR “ SEGGING.” 
77 
Eelworm, the Tylenclius devastatrix of Kuhn, but by a kind which 
had not previously been recorded as being found in England, known 
scientifically as the Cephalobus rigidus of Schneider. 
The first note of observation of this attack was sent to me on 
June 28tli (with specimens accompanying), from Newton House, 
Milford Haven, S. Wales, by Mr. Rocli Davies, who wrote as 
follows :— 
“ I send you a few roots of Black Tartarian Oats for your 
inspection. The Oats were sown the last week in March ; all came 
up and looked well for a week, when I perceived that large spots in 
the field seemed to change colour, which I put down to wireworm, but 
strange to say the plant did not die out, nor could I find any worm. 
I rolled heavily twice, and at an early stage dressed with one cwt. of 
nitrate of soda per acre ; still there seemed no growth of the spots 
affected. 
“ The above was done on April 15th ; no other manure was used, 
and it was rolled again about ten days after, where affected : the 
plants assumed a dark rich colour, but did not grow, and up to July 5tli 
the affected crop remained (though of a rich colour ) only about six 
inches high. The other portion of the field in a heavy crop, and in 
bloom. The land is light, rather brashy, and in the old red sandstone 
formation.” 
On examining the plants sent me on June 28tli, I found them as 
described by Mr. Davies, very short and of a deep green colour, and, 
although there was not the decided swelling at the base of the stem 
which gives the name to “ Tulip-root ” disease, there was the peculiar 
plaited or waved appearance of the edge of the leaf which is to be 
found accompanying Eelworm attack,—in fact sufficient alteration of 
growth to make me suspect that the injury was due to the action of 
the Eelworms which I saw were present. 
I therefore availed myself of the skilled assistance of Dr. J. Gf. 
de Man, of Middleburg, Netherlands, well known for his especial 
knowledge of this class of nematode worms, who identified the 
specimens for me as being the Cephalobus rigidus above named, and was 
also good enough to draw from life, and present to me for use in this 
Report, the figure from which the accompanying excellent plate is 
taken ; and further, at my request, wrote the following account of the 
attack for the k Agricultural Gazette' (for July 16th, 1888), in which 
some of the specially distinguishing points of the attack are scientific¬ 
ally noticed :— 
“ Miss E. A. Ormerod, Consulting Entomologist to the Agricultura 
Society, seut me, not long ago, some specimens of Oats, requesting 
me to inform her whether they were affected by ‘ Tulip-root,’— i.e., by 
an attack of Tylenclius devastatrix. These specimens presented no more 
