42 



Murray. (Journ. Bot. xxvii. 237-242 ; 257-262 ; 298-305, 



concluded). 



In addition to the catalogue of species, a table showing the 



distribution and a list of authorities Is appended. 

 Atacama — Botanische Reise nach der Provinz in 1885. R. A. 

 Philippi. (Verhand. Deutsch. wiss. Verein Santiago, 1888, 



214-221). 

 Bald Cypress — The knees of the ; a New Theory of their Function. 



R. H. Lamborn. (Garden and Forest, iii. 2r, 22, fig, 4). 



The much discussed question as to the function of the 

 ** knees'' of Taxodittm disticJium here receives another contribu- 

 tion. The author advances the very plausible theory that they 

 serve to strengthen the angle where the roots change their di- 

 rection from a horizontal to a more or less vertical one. As these 

 roots undoubtedly act in the capacity of anchors to hold the trees 

 steady in the soft and yielding soil where they grow, the above 

 hypotliesis seems entirely within reason. The significant fact is 

 mentioned ttiat the Bald Cypress seldom, if ever, is known to be 

 prostrated by the wind, in spite of its apparently insecure place 

 of growth. It is also suggested that the knees may serve the 

 purpose of arresting drift material, and holding it until it decays 

 and becomes food for the roots of the trees to absorb. The 

 author considers the theory that they are aerating organs as yet 



unsubstantiated. 



Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information — Royal Gardens, Kew^ 



1889. (8vo. pp. 306. London, 1889). 



I 



Contains much that Is of interest to American botanists. 

 Under the caption Coca are full descriptions, with figures, of 

 Erythroxlyon Coca and E. Coca, var. Novo-Granatense, and brief 

 notes upon other species of the genus. Two memoranda are 

 given upon the Yam Bean {PachyrJiizus iuberosus), one of which 

 is illustrated. The short-podded Yam Bean [P, angulatus) is also 

 figured. Zizyphus chloroxylon, the Jamaica cogwood, is figured, 

 and its bibliography given. Considerable space is occupied by 

 the description of the economic values of Attalea fiinifera ; 

 Cinchona, Agave rigida, var. Sisalina, and several others. In 

 the list of hardy annual and perennial herbaceous plants which 

 have perfected seeds at the Gardens are a large number of our 



s 



