112 



_■ - I 



in the seed of radish, violet, maple, etc., is not properly due to the for- 

 mation of chlorophyll in darkness, for during growth the coverings 

 are to a considerable extent translucent, but the peculiarity is that 

 . this chlorophyll remains for a very long while unaltered in darkness. As 

 regards the nutritive value of more light and less heat it is too soon 

 for final conclusions. [See also Gilbert's address on Agricultural Chem- 

 x^Uy, Nature^ Sept. i6, 1880]. In the August and September numbers is 

 a review of De Candolle's Phytography, a volume, Dr. Gray says, which 

 is "a needful supplement to the Philosophica Botanica oi Linnaeus, 

 and the TMorie Elementaireoitht elder De Candolle, the two classical 

 books which the serious botanical student should early and thor- 

 oughly master. We believe that if Dr. Gray*s notes could be obtained 

 separately they would form a valuable appendix to the original vol- 

 ume, from which it is our- intention to publish" some extracts soon, 

 on the value of herbaria., 



2. Botanical Contributions, by Asa Gray, (Proc. Am. Acad, Sci., 

 Vol. XVI.) Thesecontributionsconsist of four sections. The first, on 

 some Compositae gives some of the results reached for the Synopti- 

 cal Flora of North America, as this portion of that work cannot im- 

 mediately be published. For those who have to determine specimens, 

 particularly of Western plants, it will prove in the meanwhile indis- 

 pensable. Vernonia aliissima, Nutt., is restored; Coelestina maritima. 



Liatrisf. 



ifli 



genus, Garberia ; Greenella\% also a new genus, with the species Ari- 

 zoiiica, of S. Arizona. Among Solidagos we notice that Chapman's 6". 

 odara becomes a new species, S. Chapmanii. But not to go into particu- 

 lars, those interested in Townseudia, Erigero?i and Aster'm. particular, 

 must have recourse to these notes. Part second gives six new Asde- 

 piads; part third, Geniostemon, a new genus of Gentians; part fourth, 

 miscellanies, among which wt noX\cQ Seduf/i Meehaniixom Utah, and 

 Reverchonia, a new genus of Euphorbiae from Texas, allied to Phyl- 

 lanthiis. 



3. Systematic Fern-List, a Classified list of the known Ferns of the 

 the United States, with the geographical range of the species, by 

 Daniel C. Eaton. New Haven, 1880. There are here given 151 

 species of ferns, including the OpJiioglossaceae, and also one or two 

 species which came too late for insertion in the Ferns of North Amer- 

 ica. In a preliminary note it is stated that since Mr. Brandegee has 

 discovered Cystoptcris montana in Colorado, there remain no ferns 

 known as inhabiting British America which are not also found in the 

 United States. The list is intended as a check-list, and may be ob- 

 tained from the author at the price of ten cents for single copies, or one 

 dollar for fifteen copies, or will be sent in exchange for good speci- 

 mens of rare or interesting ferns. 



We take this opportunity to congratulate the author and publish- 

 er on the completion of the " Ferns of North America," which makes 

 two handsome volumes, with preface, additions and corrections list of 

 plates, conspectus of scientific arrangement, and index. We under- 

 stand that Mr. Cassino, if sufficiently encouraged, will make arran<:^e, 

 ments to publish such additional discoveries as may from time^'to 

 time occur. 



