Palaeontologie. — Eumycetes. 111 



1909 Reprinted, p. 1 — 13. also contracted, in "Nature", title: 

 Adaptation in Fossil Plants. (LXXXI, 2073, p. 115— llS.j 



The author first emphasises the fact that the bulk, if not 

 the whole of organic structure is of the nature of an adaption 

 mechanism; that during long periods in the life of a species it 

 remains unchanged, and then, with any great change in its surroun- 

 dings, it alters noticeably. The conclusion foUows that organisms 

 are generally in a State ot complete adaptation to their surroundings. 

 This holds good also for the plants of the Palaeozoic period, from 

 which the author quotes the mechanical adaptation of the „Dictyoxyion" 

 type of coriex, and other points in the uiiatomy of fossil stems, and 

 the mechanical arrangements in the leaves of Cordaües. Points in 

 the structure of Palaeozoic woods are also mentioned, and the utili- 

 zation of vestigial structures in some of them is taken as an indication 

 of a high Standard of adaptation. As examples of adaptation to 

 special conditions, the structure of several xerophytic fossil leaves is 

 considered. The MeduUoseae are noted as less perfectly adapted in 

 their stem anatomy. This leads to a consideration of cambial growth, 

 which was widely spread among Palaeozoic plants. It is remarked 

 that the facts derived from a study of fossil structures do not support 

 the view that there has been a gradual development from the simpler 

 to the more complex, which is well illustrated by the history of the 

 seed. In connection with the Angiosperms, the author points out 

 that in many cases the simple forms existing today are of a reduced 

 rather than of a primitive nature. M. C. Stopes. 



Zalessky, M., Note sur les debris vegetavix duterrain 

 carbonifere de la chalne de Mugodzary. (Bull. Com. Geol. 

 St. Petersbourg. t. 28, N". 153, p. 1 — 12, t. I u. II, 1909. Russ. und 

 französ. Resume.) 



Es handelt sich um eine typische Cülm-florula mit Lepidodeti- 

 dron Veltheirni, Asterocalamites u. a., in der besonders bemerkens- 

 wert noch sind: Porodendron {BotJirodendron?) tenerrinmni Auerb. 

 et Trautsch. und ein Psygniophylhini ähnlicher Rest. Gothan. 



Zalessky, M. D., Communication preliminaire sur un 

 nouveau Dadoxylon ä faisceaux de bois primaireautour 

 de la moelle, provenant du devonien super ieur du 

 bassin du Donetz. (Bull. Acad. imper. Sc. St. Petersbourg. 1909. 

 p. 1175—1178. 5 Textfig.) 



Dadoxylon Trifilievi n. sp., von ähnlicher Struktur wie Pitys 

 antiqiia und Verwandte, wie diese mit einem Kranz von markstän- 

 digen Leitbündeln an der Markkrone. Gothan. 



Bullep, A. H. R., Researches on Fungi, (Longmans, Green & Co., 

 London. XI, 287 pp. 1909.) 



In a subsidiary title the author explains that this volume com- 

 prises „an account of the production, liberation, and dispersion of 

 the spores of Hymenomycetes treated botanically and physically, 

 also some observations upon the discharge and dispersion of the 

 spores of Ascomycetes and of Pilohohts." By far the greater part of 

 the book is concerned with the sporophores of Hymenomycetes 



