130 
2d.—Herbaceous plants do not extend more than 4,000 feet 
higher than those on the Alps, and cease at the snow line. 
3d.—The lichens do not reach any greater altitude, if as great, 
as they do on Mont Blanc. 
After discussing the various meteorological differences and 
their effect on the vegetation, the author concludes that the causes 
which limit the extension upward of the herbaceous and crypto- 
gamic vegetation in Mexico are zstival rather than hyemal. 
Volutella Ellisti—A. B. Langlois. (Journ. Mycol., iii., p. 57.) 
Wisconsin Orchids.—John H. Dunlap. (Gard. Month., xxix., 
pp. 150, 151.) 
Notes on the species observed by the author with especial 
reference to their cultivation. 
Botanical Notes. 
Berberiderum Japonie Conspectus. In the Journal of the 
Linnzan Society, Vol. xxii., pp. 422-437, Tokutaro Ito presents 
an arrangement of the Japanese Berberidacee. Caulophyllum 
thalictroides, Michx., appears to be as abundant in Japan as here; 
the presence of Podophyllum peltatum, L., is not satisfactorily 
authenticated, though another species (P. Japonicum, T. Ito) is 
found; the Japanese Achlys is referred to A. triphylla, D C., var. 
Japonica, Ito, and a beautiful plate of it is given. 
On the Differentiation of the Tissues in Fungi. Mr. George 
Massee, in the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society for 
April, 1887, describes and illustrates the structure of several 
Hymenomycetes. He finds in several species of Polyporus a well- 
marked mechanical sheath in the stipe, about half a line in thick- 
ness, composed of densely matted hyphz with extremely thick 
walls. This mechanical support is expanded in the pileus 
to form a number of branched radiating ribs. The latex 
tubes of Lactarius and Russula are described, and the conclusion 
reached that this tissue is undoubtedly connected with nutrition, 
in the transportation of food material, as glycogen. The cystidia 
_ met with in the hymenium are regarded by Mr. Massee as only 
_ the ends of latex tubes. 
Karl Theodor Mohr. A biographical notice of this eminent 
