328 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



nothing has yet been adduced to detract from the correct- 

 ness of Darwin's conclusions. In connection with this sub- 

 ject, we would refer to a work by Hanstein and A. Braun on 

 the parthenogenesis of Ccelebogyne ilici folia, in which, as we 

 understand, Hanstein thinks the parthenogenesis is proved. 

 The subject of Insectivorous Plants lias been discussed in 

 numerous papers, among which we may mention an article 

 by Batalin in Flora on the " Mechanism of the Motions of 

 Insectivorous Plants." It is evident, however, that the cream 

 of the subject is to be found in Darwin's work on the subject; 

 and the articles which have lately appeared are beginning to 

 seem a little drawn out. A son of Mr. Darwin has made 

 observations on the protoplasmic filaments protruded by the 

 hairs of Dipsacus; and Cornu, in the Oomptes Bendus, men- 

 tions having seen the protoplasmic contents of a cell in a 

 fungus pass directly through the cell-wall. 



Ferns and Mosses. 



Systematic works on the higher cryptogams have not been 

 very abundant during 1877. Cesati, in the Proceedings of 

 the Neapolitan Academy, has two papers on the higher cryp- 

 togams of Borneo and some Polynesian islands. J. G. Baker 

 describes some ferns of the Andes in the Journal of Botany ; 

 and Professor Harrington, of Michigan University, describes 

 some new species collected by Professor Steere. Perhaps 

 the most important general work on higher cryptogams pub- 

 lished during the year is the " Cryptogamic Flora of Silesia," 

 under the direction of Professor Cohn, of Breslau. The vas- 

 cular cryptogams are arranged, by Dr. Stenzel, the mosses 

 and liverworts by Dr. Limpricht, and the Characece by the 

 late Professor A. Braun. The latter portion is particularly 

 worthy of commendation. A second volume, including the 

 alga3 by Cohn, and fungi by Dr. Schroeter, is said to be in 

 press. In Flora, Dr. Franks has a paper on the mosses of 

 the northern part of Bavaria, and Jach has an article on Ile- 

 paticcs in the Botanische Zeitung, in which he criticises the 

 views and determinations of Dumortier. 



In regard to the development and morphology of the 

 higher cryptogams, there have been several interesting dis- 

 coveries. Dr. Berggren, of Lund, has published in the Bota- 

 niska JVotiser a preliminary notice of the germination of 



