Abstract: The size and appearance of the preputial glands of Clethrionomys glareolus showed variations which were associated with season, sex and maturation. The glands were by far largest in mature males followed by mature females, and subadult males and females, in that order. There was a positive relationship between the length, fresh weight and dry weight of the glands. The possible role of the preputial glands in relation to territorially, social status and sexual attraction is discussed.

Abstract: Examples are given of North American fungi potentially dangerous to Pinus contorta plantations in northern Europe. The pathogenicity of North European fungi is discussed. P. contorta was found to be immune or nearly immune to all European rust fungi, more resistant than P. sylvestris to Phacidium infestans and Lophodermium pinastri, but less resistant to Crumenulopsis sororia and Discella strobilina. For other fungi no such clearcut conclusions could be drawn.

Abstract: Influence of continuous fumigation by low levels of SO2 on the phenolic contents and phenoloxidase activities in leaves of forest trees. Potted clonal trees of Norway spruce, black alder and English birch were continuously exposed to low levels of So2 in fumigation chambers. The phenolic content of the Norway spruce needles was increased consiberably over the controls months before the trees showed any symptoms of damage to the naked eye. Fumigated black alder had a significant higher phenoloxidase activity in the leaves; but this increase only occurred two weeks before the development of necroses. In English birch neither the phenolic content nor the phenoloxidase activity was changed against the unfumigated controls during the course of the experiment.

Abstract: A sternal abdominal defensive gland in adults of the Malayan cockroachArchiblatta hoeveni is described. It producesp-cresol and as a minor compound, phenol. When the animals are attacked, they eject the secretion as a spray that can be aimed in the direction of, the stimulus. The position, morphology, and chemistry of the gland support the taxonomic position ofArchiblatta within the Blattoidea.

Abstract: Relations between estimated daily radial growth of red pine (Pinus resinosa) and white birch (Betula papyrifera) trees and various environmental factors were studied in northern Wisconsin. Daily variations in stem radius, which reflected an irreversible cambial growth component as well as superimposed shrinkage and swelling of stems, were recorded with dendrographs and daily radial growth was estimated with trend lines connecting midpoints between daily maximum and minimum stem radii. Orthogonalized regression analysis was used to isolate individual effects despite intercorrelations between the variables. Regression models were developed on 9 independent variables: rainfall (log P, n), minimum temperature (Tmin, n; Tmin 2, n), average daily relative humidity (Ra, n), maximum saturation deficit with a one-day lag (Vmax, n−1), minimum temperature with a two-day lag (Tmin, n−2), percent soil moisture (log M150), time trend (Day2) and autocorrelation (y, n−1). These factors explained 81% of the variation in estimated daily radial growth of birch. They also explained 78% of the variation in growth of pine at the wettest site (lower slope) and 64% at the driest site (upper slope). As soil and plant water stress intensified up the slope, radial growth of pine was inhibited and the direct relation between growth and environmental factors was progressively weakened while the autocorrelation factor became dominant. Rainfall (log P, n) was the most important factor influencing radial growth, reflecting the paramount importance of cell turgor in the cambial zone.

Abstract: SUMMARY The results of a provenance trial with two imported and one local provenance of E. maculata is given. Differences in volume production were significant, but no differences were found between amount of kino rings in the three provenances.

Abstract: Cultural studies have shown that unautoclaved Armillatox, a proprietary fungicide, when incorporated in an agar medium killed inocula of A. mellea mycelia at 550 ppm concentration and rhizomorphs at 50 000 ppm. Evidence on detoxification of Armillatox in agar culture and its probable role on new rhizomorph production is reported. Although Armillatox at 10000 ppm appeared to cause profuse production of new rhizomorphs in liquid culture, the difference in the dry weight between the treated and the control Samples has been found to be statistically insignificant.

Abstract: Trees up to 25 m tall died suddenly at the edges of a steadily extending patch of dead and dying trees in a fast-growing plantation of Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell. near Traralgon, Victoria. Measurements of tree height and stem diameter made during the 12 years since the plantation was established indicate that, prior to their death, trees at the margins of the extending patch grew as rapidly as unaffected neighbours. During May 1973 and May 1974, Armillaria luteobubalina Watling & Kile sp.nov. fruited prolifically on dead and infected trees. Few rhizomorphs have been found so that spread of infection seems to have been mainly by mycelial growth within root systems and at root contacts. Infection has spread from inoculum in a single stump of Acacia melanoxylon R. Br. at an average annual rate of 2.5 m. Untreated stumps of healthy 10-year-old trees felled in unaffected parts of the plantation during the fruiting season of 1973 have not become infected. In pathogenicity tests with an isolate from the cap of a fruiting body, E. regnans seedlings have suddenly wilted and died following penetration of the tap root-root collar zone and subsequent girdling of the stem. It is concluded that the deaths at Traralgon are due to primary attack by A. luteobubalina .

Abstract: Large scale mortality of Encalyptus tereticornis and E. grandis caused by Corticium salmonicolor in high rainfall locations in India is reported. Symptoms, incidence and epidemiology of the disease and pathogenicity of the fungus are worked out. Suitable alternative species based on performance and field resistance to the discase have been selected. Possibilities of fungicidal control of the disease are explored.