ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 327 



the plant, and also a destruction of the pollen in tlio anthers. The 

 result was tbe formation of a hybrid as cross-fertilisation was impera- 

 tive. M. Giard cites a comparable instance of morphological modifica- 

 tion by a root-inhabiting cryptogamic parasite, in abnormal specimens 

 of Pulicaria dysenterica, and suggests that there probably exist among 

 Composite plants, and even in individual species, parasitic root-inhabit- 

 ing fungi of different kinds, exercising a different morphological action 

 on their host. The influence of these parasites on the conditions of 

 sexuality of their hosts is equally variable and of great interest in 

 general biology. 



Topographical Botany.* — N. Boulay has drawn up a careful and 

 detailed report on the geography and botany of the Saut-du-Bouchot, 

 a cascade in the Department of tho Vosges, one of the highest feeders 

 of the Biver Moselle. It is the result of observations extending over 

 the past 40 years, and it is intended as a record which can be referred 

 to in years to come, when possible changes in the factors which deter- 

 mine the nature of the present flora may have arisen. The cascade is 

 some 1400 ft. above sea-level and has been selected as a typical one and 

 as not likely to be interfered with by the hand of man. A map of the 

 neighbourhood, a geological section, and three photographic views of 

 the cascade are given. First the topography is explained with care, 

 and the measurements of tho cascade are set out. Then the vegetation 

 in the immediate vicinity is described, special attention being devoted 

 to the mosses and hcpatics since they would be the first to respond to 

 changes of humidity or climate. Lists of these plants, as they occur 

 in the ravine, on submerged rocks, on trees, &c. are supplied. The 

 flora is silicicolous without any calcicolous constituents. 



Phyllospadix as a Beach-builder.t — B. E. Gibbs describes the 

 formation from the fruit of this marine monocotyledonous plant of a very 

 effective anchoring apparatus. This is brought about by the persistence 

 of tough fibres permeating the softer substance of the pericarp, after 

 the decay of these softer portions, in a manner similar to that by which 

 the grapplers of the water-chestnut are formed. The hard persistent 

 endocarp forms a pair of curving arms lined on the inside by a row of 

 stiff down-curved fibres. These barbed arms are frequently found 

 grasping one or a pair of the nodose stems of a coralline sea-weed 

 (Amjyhiroa), and in this position germination takes place. The stem 

 grows downward till it reaches the rock to which it becomes tightly 

 fixed by numerous adventitious roots, and by repeated branching soon 

 covers the surface with a mat of eel-grass. The author insists on the 

 importance of this growth as a beach-protector and builder. 



CRYPTOGAMS. 



Pteridophyta. 



Prothalli of Ophioglossum and Helminthostachys.j — W. H. Lang 

 gives a detailed account of the prothalli of Ophioglossum jpendulinum 



* Eev. Bryol., xxix. (1902) pp. 37-55 (3 pis. and 2 figs.). 



t Amer. Nat., xxxvi. (1902) pp. 101-9. 



; Ann. Bot., xvi. (1902) pp. 23-56 (3 pis.). Cf. this Journal, 1902, p. 77. 



