217 
Four species of Truffles are described ; Tuber nucinatum, T. 
hetmalbum, T. brumale, and T. montanum. They are associated 
all through France with Tuber melanosporum or T. cibarium, 
the “ Truffe du Périgord” of the markets, and are often con- 
founded with it, and, when possible, sold as such. In Algeria, 
Tunis and Morocco, a species of Truffle is known as Zerfds, and 
is the Mizy, or Mison, that in the days of Pliny the Romans ob- 
tained from Carthage and Lybia. Itis the Zuber niveum of 
Desfontaines, the Cheromyces, and later, the Terfezia Leonis of 
of Tulasne Three species of African and Arabian Terfds are 
described as Zerfezia Leonis, Tulasne, 7. Boudieri and T. Bou- 
advert, var. Arabica, and a fourth is given a new generic as well 
as specific name, 7irmannia Africana. They are gathered in 
great quantities, and for many months are one of the most im- 
portant of the caravan supplies. ~~ AcM.:V. 
Ueber Schutzmittel des Laubes gegen Transpiration, besonderes in 
der Flora ¥avas. A. F. W. Schimper: (Sitzungsberichte der 
Berl. Akadem. der Wissenschaften, 1890, S. 1045.) 
Protective characters against a too rapid transpiration have, 
up to the present time, except in one or two cases caused by cli- 
matic changes, been recognized as found only in plants inhabiting 
deserts or extremely dry localities. (Xerophytes). 
The observations communicated in the present paper (later to 
be enlarged and illustrated) have led to the remarkable conclu- 
sion that dryness of habitat is by no means the only influencing 
factor which may be active in causing the development of pro- 
tective characters against transpiration. 
Such characters are found quite universal in sea-shore (Hal- 
ophytes) and alpine plants, and in temperate zones in all woody 
- evergreens. 
The sea-shore and alpine plants the author has recently 
throughly studied in Java, with the results communicated in the 
following paper. 
I.—Sea-shore plants: (Strandpflanzen, Halophytes). 
It is already well known that concentrated solutions of com- 
mon. salt exercise a retarding influence on transpiration, and 
