NOTES AND COMMENT 



About four hundred degrees in botanical science, including some 

 titles in bacteriology and general physiology, have been conferred by 

 American universities during the last decade. This number is about 

 equivalent to the present active membership of the Botanical Society 

 of America, although it is by no means to be taken for granted that 

 all of the doctors are members in that organization. A file of the 

 theses would constitute a special history of research dm-ing the period 

 in question. Great difficulty would be encountered in making a col-' 

 lection of these papers, as some have not been published in their •^^" 

 tirety or under the thesis caption, others have been privately prii^^^^'> 

 and some still repose in manuscript form on the shelves in the library 

 of the institutions which acknowledged their seriousness and value by 

 granting a degree. 



The galleys of an article discussing the doctorates in all subjects in 

 American universities in 1916 have been received from Prof. J. McKeen 

 Cattell. An examination of this list shows that about 37 are of such 

 character as to be reviewed in botanical journals as compared with 

 45 in the previous year. About one-half of the subjects are descrip- 

 tive of work done in physiological laboratories. One is in genetics, 

 one in cytology, one in soil physics, two are in bacteriology, and the 

 remainder may l^e apportioned equally among morphology, taxonomy, 

 pathology, and ecology. Many of the papers deal with problems of 

 importance, and appear to deal with the results in a broad way. The 

 character of the list indicates that serious work is expected of the 

 candidate. It is hoped that this attitude also impHes a disposition to 

 annoy the earnest student with fewer formal requirements and super- 

 fluous irrelevant minor courses. 



COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 



Edgar Altenburg. Linkage in Primula sinensis, 



Clifford Harrison Farr. C>i:okinesis of the pollen-mother-cells of 

 certain dicotyledons. 



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