ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 733 



is the result of the splitting of a smaller number of cotyledons, probably 

 two. The Taxineae, Podocarpineae, and many Cupressineae, have two 

 cotyledons, and the authors give evidence of partially split cotyledons, 

 grouping - of cotyledons, and cases of transition. In some cases, how- 

 ever, extra cotyledons may result from the displacement of foliage 

 leaves from the first stem node to the cotyledonary node. 



Leaf-structure of Strand Plants.* — J. W. Harshberger has studied 

 the strand flora of New Jersey, which includes interesting representa- 

 tives of sea-beach plants, dune plants, salt-marsh vegetation, and thickets. 

 The author gives detailed descriptions of the structural adaptations in 

 both salt-marsh plants and in the strand plants. The majority of 

 the salt-marsh species showed two marked characteristics, viz. suc- 

 culence and wiriness, and most of them had very smooth leaves. Further 

 modification of leaf -structure was shown in such points as the presence 

 of hairs, the depression of stomata, the increase in the number of rows 

 of palisade cells, the presence of a hypodermis, thick cuticle, or thickened 

 epidermis, etc. The true strand plants were still more modified, and in 

 addition to the modifications exhibited by the salt-marsh plants, they often 

 possessed overlapping leaves, or the surface of the leaf was papillate. In 

 some cases the leaves had the power of changing their position with 

 respect to the light. Other curious features observed include the 

 presence of latex tissue, crystals, etc. 



Anatomy of the Cortex of the Tubers of Balanophora.f— M. Strigl 

 has studied the structure and function of the cortical tissue of the tubers 

 of Balanophora, with the following results. There is no true epidermis. 

 but several peripheral layers of lignified cells. Very young tubers have 

 only one such layer, and this is increased by secondary thickening of 

 adjacent parenchyma-cells, and there is no well-defined limit between 

 the thickened cortex and the parenchyma-cells. There are peculiar 

 and well-defined outgrowths of the cell-membrane, but it cannot be 

 shown that these are due to the ingrowth of fungal hyphae and their 

 subsequently being surrounded by the membrane. The general struc- 

 ture of the cortex points to the absorption and conduction of water. 

 The star-like irregularities of the tubers of B. dongata also appear to be 

 arrangements for water absorption. 



Root-modifications due to Artificial Wounding.} — M. Ledoux has 

 experimented upon the roots of Lupin us alius, Soja hispida, and Pisum 

 sativum, and finds that when the main root is wounded there is abnormal 

 intercalary growth in the wounded regions. There is also anatomical 

 variation, the cortical tissues being much developed, the vascular bundles 

 more numerous and differently orientated, and the central cylinder more 

 or less modified ; the formation of secondary tissues is retarded, and the 

 wounded tissues are never replaced. It appears to be immaterial whether 

 the wounding is near the apex or the base : the modifications are of the 

 same kind in both cases. 



* Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc. Philadelphia, xlviii. (1909) pp. 72-S9 (4 pis.). 

 t SB. k. Akad. Wiss. Wien, cxvi. (1907) pp. 1041-60 (2 pis. and 3 figs.). 

 % Rev. Gen. Bot., xxi. (1909) pp. 225-40 (13 figs.). 



