Physiologie. 547 



The author urges the value of theoretical botanical know- 

 ledge to horticulturalists. Treats especially oi the question of 

 water supply and mentions mycorhizal habit of certain plants. 

 Is of the natiire of a preliminary to a more exhaustive treat- 

 ment of the subject. M. E. Latliam (New York). 



Bargagli-Petrucci, G., II glicoside Robinina du r ante la 

 germinazione dei semi di Robinla Pseiulo - acacia. 

 (Nuovo Giorn. bot. Ital. N. Ser. Vol. XIII. 1906. p. 158— 162.) 



Par une reaction microchimique tres simple (acide siil- 

 furique concentre) on peut s'assurer que dans les cotyledones 

 des graines au repos de Robinia pseudo-acacia, existe tou- 

 jours le meme glucoside, la Robinine, qui depuis longtemps a ete 

 observee dans les fleurs de cette plante. Ce glucoside est 

 localise dans les tissus eloigndes des faisceaux procambiaux, 

 et vraisemblablement est employe (peut etre ä l'aide d'une 

 enzyme) par les tissus de la graine pendant la premiere periode 

 de sa germination^ car le meme reactif ne decouvre plus dans 

 ce cas la moindre trace de glucoside. R. Pampanini. 



Cannon, W. A., On the water-conducting Systems of 

 some desert plants. (Botan. Gazette. XXXIX. p. 397 

 —408. June 1905.) 



Eight species of Arizona desert plants show a considerably 

 smaller number of tracheae per unit area of cross section in 

 irrigated specimens than in those grovving in dry situations. 

 This condition is at variance with that reported by Volkens 

 for the plants of the Egyptian-Arabian deserts.. The dis- 

 crepancy is probably to be accounted for by the distribution 

 of the annual rains at the two places. M. A. Chrysler. 



Harper, R. M., A peculiar Hygroscopic Movement in 

 the Capsules of Knelffla. (Plant World. Vol. VIII. 

 p. 301—303. Dec. 1905.) 



Finds that the capsules of Kneiffla linearis are open in 

 wet and closed in dry weather, the Separation of the valves 

 extending one-third down. Since the plant is a distinctly photo- 

 philous one, considers the device as doubtless advantage in 

 seed dispersal, as the seeds are thus protected from excessive 

 heat of the direct Sun. M. E. Latham (New York). 



Robertson, T. B., Investigations on the Reactions of 

 Infiisoria to Chemical and Osmotic Stimuli. (Journ. 

 biol. Chem. Vol. I. p. 185—202. Jan. 1906.) 



From experiments on the Chemotaxis of Paramoecia in 

 Solutions of electrolytes, concludes that Solutions which tend to 

 increase protoplasmic surfaces attract, while those which tend 



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