66 
Studies in the Botany of California and Parts Adjacent—lV. 
Edward Lee Greene. (Bull. Calif. Acad. Sci., ii., pp. 41-60; 
advance sheets.) 
Under the caption “ On some Cichoriaceous Composit,” the 
author reviews the arrangement of the genus Microseris in Dr. 
Gray’s Synoptical Flora N. A., and contends that its species are 
superlatively amplified. He proposes the restoration of the genus 
Calais, DC., to include five species of the above; Scorzonella, 
Nutt., to include eleven others; Prilocalais, Gray, with three 
. Species, and Wothocalais, Greene, nov. gen., for those included in 
section Wothocalais of the genus Microseris by Dr. Gray; Trox- 
imon cuspidatum, Pursh., becomes NV. cuspidata, Greene. Seven 
new species of these Composite are characterized. Mr. Greene 
also publishes descriptions of four new Euphorbias, two species 
of Ranunculus (R.Bolanderi and R. Ludovicianus) ; Meconella den- 
ticulata, Argemone corymbosa and Draba Sonore. 
Tendril Movements in Cucurbita niaxima and C, Pepo. DV. P. 
Penhallow. (Amer. Journ. Sci., xxxi., pp. 100-114 and 178- 
189 ; concluded.) 
The account of observations on the growth and circumnutations 
of the tendrils of these plants is continued, and the conclusions 
reached are presented. Mr. Penhallow finds that growth is pro- 
moted by an increase of temperature and humidity, and retarded 
by an increase of temperature when other conditions are not fav- 
orable, and also by excessive transpiration. Movements of ten- 
drils and terminal buds, being phenomena of growth, are modified 
by whatever conditions affect growth. With regard to the cir- 
cumnutations of the tendrils he concludes that they are owing 
to unequal growth by producing unequal tension of tissues, 
chiefly in the vibrogen tissue, which may therefore be regarded 
as the seat of movement. The transmission of impulses is 
effected through the continuity of protoplasm in the active tissues. 
Virulence of the Common Parsnip. Thomas Meehan. (Proc. 
Phil. Acad. Sci., 1885, p.'383.) - 
Mr. Mechan referred to the death of several children at Dan- 
ville, Penn., in the spring of 1884, caused by eating the roots of 
the wild parsnip. Some of these roots had been sent him by the 
