14 THE PLANT WORLD. 



given data on the relative osmotic values of the plants. And 

 one series of experiments, which were repeated, on the freez- 

 ing point of solutions of the three types of halophytes (not 

 on pure juices) gave results fully in accord with the results 

 with the bridge on the same material. A further difficulty 

 in relating the results as given above to the possible osmotic 

 strengths of the plant solutions lies in the nature of the parts 

 of the plants brought under observation, — only leaves and 

 young stems were selected for study. To be of value for the 

 purpose of comparing the osmotic relations of plant and soil 

 it would be necessary to study the absorbing system of the 

 plant, which was impracticable. It remains therefore for 

 future work, which may perhaps best be cultures, to deter- 

 mine the osmotic relations of these salt plants. 



From the experience outlined in this note of testing the 

 resistances of plant and soil solutions suggestions for the 

 wider use of the method have very naturally suggested them- 

 selves. In general the method appears to be applicable 

 wherever salt plants (or animals inhabitating saline waters) 

 are being studied in relation to the habitat. This would be 

 not only the forms of the sea and of brackish waters but 

 those used in cultures as well. And it may be suggested 

 that many such forms would be so rich in juices that the 

 study could be pursued without their dilution so that direct 

 comparison with the resistance of the medium in which the 

 forms occur could be had, which would be of great value 

 as well as great interest. 



Desert Laboratory. 



SOME OBSERVATIONS ON ARIZONA FUNGI. 



By J. C. Blumer. 

 It appears to be the impression of botanists who are 

 unacquainted with the floral possibilities of the desert that 

 a collector need not be prepared for preserving fungi as such 

 would not be found in abundance in a country so dry and hot. 

 While to a limited extent this is probably true of the most 



