102 
merous flowers, none of them however, entirely regular, as in 
two cases the petaloid styles are either lacking or unilaterally de- 
veloped, and in the four and five-parted flowers two of the petals, 
in each are lacking, and the filaments united irregularly. The 
author hopes that these studies in teratology will throw light on 
the floral morphology of this genus, and perhaps, render more 
manifest its analogy with other families of the monocotyledons. 
A Synopsis of the Rhizocarpee. In the April number of the 
Journal of Botany, Mr. J. G. Baker begins a synopsis of all 
_ known species of this interesting order of Pteridophytes ; thirteen 
species of Salvinia are described, of which three are new to 
science. Of Azolla, five species are recognized, A. Caroliniana, 
Willd., being the only one native to North America. 
Researches on the cell-nucleus. Rev. W. H. Dallinger, LL.D., 
F, R.S. (Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society,vi., pp. 193- 
207. Plates vii-ix.) This adds another to the list of studies 
which have been carried on by means of the latest and most 
improved objectives and patient, long-continued observation. 
The organisms selected are Heteromita rostrata, Polytoma 
uvella, Tetramitus rostratus, and Dallingeria Drysdali, and of 
them Dr. Dallinger says: 
“T know of noclear reason for concluding that they are either 
vegetable or animal; they possess in fact some of the character- 
istics of both, and certainly they represent the lowliest organiza- 
tion of either great line of organic life.’ The following conclu- 
_ sions were arrived at: ‘The nucleus is the centre of all the 
higher activities of these organisms. The spore or germ itself 
appears but an undeveloped nucleus; and when that nucleus has 
attained its full dimensions in size, there is a pause in growth in 
order that its internal development may be accomplished. More- 
over it is from it that the flagella originally arise. In the same 
way it is by a complex and beautiful series of delicate activities in 
the nucleus that the wonderful act of fission is initiated, and in 
all probability carried to the end. So too, all the involved changes 
that go with fertilization and the production of germs are a 
series of correlated activities due, at the beginning at least, wholly 
to the nucleus.” 
