Floristik, Geographie, Systematik etc. 499 



Delf, E. M., The Meaning ofXerophily. ("Jour. Ecology. III. 

 2. p. 110-121. 1915.) 



The introduction compares the definitions of xerophily, xero- 

 phyte and allied terms, used by various authors, and it is shown 

 that confusion exists, sometimes the definition is expressed in terms 

 of habitat, sometimes in terms of adaptive modification. Attention 

 is next directed to Kamerling's recent experiments on tropical 

 xerophytes (Bot. Cent. 128 p. 89), some defects in methods are sug- 

 gested, and his definition of xerophytes is regarded as too narrowly 

 ph5''siological. As a contrast, the methods used at the Desert Labo- 

 rator}^ at Tucson, Arizona, are indicated, and the view is 

 expressed that this System of experimental study of plants in their 

 natural surroundings by a coordinated band of trained investigators 

 is the ideal System for elucidating intricate problems such as 

 xerophily. 



The general conclusions include the following: That xerophily 

 cannot be defined in terms of habitat, of anatomy, or of physiology 

 alone. It is rather a natural conception involving the total reaction 

 of plant to environment. Atmospheric drought is met in one way, 

 edaphic drought in other ways. If it is impossible to prove that all 

 xerophilous characters result from the effect of the environment 

 upon the plant, it is equally unfounded to assert that all such cha- 

 racters have arisen by the accumulation of fortuitous mutations. 

 The value of careful experimental work is emphasised. 



W. G. Smith. 



Farrow, E. P., On a Photographic Method ofrecording 

 Developmental Phases of Vegetation. (Jour. Ecology. III. 

 2. p. 121-124. 1915.) 



Working details are described for arranging the camera so 

 that any given area of Vegetation may be photographed from time 

 to time, exactly from the same position. For details the original 

 paper should be consulted. W. G. Smith. 



Gamble, J. S., Materials for a Flora of the Malayan Penin- 

 sula, no. 25. (Journ. Proc. As. Soc. Beng.. LXXV. 4. p. 393—468. 

 1915.) 



The present contribution deals with seven families: Cytinaceae, 

 Bahinophoraceae , J uglandaceae , Myricaceae, Casuarinaceae, Fagaceae 

 and Salicaceae — represented by 65 species. All the new species — 

 9 in number — have already appeared in the Kew Bull, Mise. Inf. 

 Mr. H. N. Ridley is responsible for the two families first named 

 all the others being elaborated by Mr. Gamble. In the Fagaceae 

 Mr. Gamble makes the following new combinations: Pasania Kunst- 

 leri {Quercus KunsÜeri, King), P. grandifrons {Q. grandifrons, King), 

 P. Lamponga {Q. Lamponga, Miq.), P. Wallichiana {Q. Wallichiatta, 

 Lindl.), P. Hystrix {Q. Hystrix, Korth.), P. Curtisii (Q. Ciirtisii King), 

 P. Ewyckii {Q. Ewyckii, Korth.), P. cyrtorhyncha {Q. cyrtorhyncha, 

 Miq.), P. Bennettii {Q. Bennettii, Miq.), P. Cantleyana (Q. Cantleyana 

 King), P. Wensigiana (Q. Wensigiana, King), P. Rassa (Q. Rassa, 

 Miq.), P. Eichleri (Q. Eichleri, Wenzig.), P. Cleinentiana (Q. Clemen- 

 tiana, King), P. lucida (Q. lucida, Roxb.), P. cyclophora {Q. cyclophora, 

 Endl.), P. costaia (Q. costata, Blume), P. Blumeana {Q. Blutneana, 

 Korth.), P. confragosa {Q. confragosa, King), P. Wvayi {Q. Wrayi, 



