148 ECOLOGY, PLANT GEOGRAPHY [Box. Absts., Vol. X, 



grandis 5.44, Quercus macrocarpa 5.18, Pinus Banksiana 4.80, Pinus ponder osa 4.20, Picea 

 Engelmanni 4.18, Ulmus americanad.bd, Acer saccharinum 2.66. Contrary to statements com- 

 monly current, autumn transpiration losses in conifers are as great as, or greater than, those 

 from broad-leaved trees, and the decrease in water loss from broad-leaved trees due to defo- 

 liation is paralleled by a similar decrease in conifers; winter losses from conifers are only 

 -s\--^ji as great as those in the autumn. Increased losses of broad-leaved trees in spring 

 are in proportion to the leaf areas exposed and are closely controlled by weather conditions; 

 conifers also show similar increased losses. — H. C. Cowles. 



964. Weiss, H. B. Coleoptera associated with Pleurotus ostreatus. Entomol. News 

 31: 296-297. 1920.— This species seems more attractive than any other of the Agaricaceae. 

 Twenty-six species of beetles are listed. Only a few species were found on Pleurotus sa-pitus. 

 Staphylinidae (rove-beetles) are commoner on gill fungi than on polypores. — 0. A. Stevens. 



965. Weiss, H. B. The insect enemies of pol5rporoid fungi. Amer. Nat. 54: 443-447. 

 1920 — A general plea is made that the species of fungi on which insects are collected be noted. 

 The author calls attention to insect groups associated with polypores in New Jersey, 80 per 

 cent of the species being infested by 59 species of Coleoptera, 5 of Hymenoptera (parasitic 

 on Coleoptera), 6 of Diptera, 3 of Lepidoptera, and 1 of Hemiptera. Certain polypores seem 

 more attractive to insects than others, the favorite being Polyporus versicolor. — J. P. Kelly. 



966. Whebry, Edgar T. Correlation between vegetation and soil acidity in southern 

 New Jersey. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 72: 113-119. 1920.— The factors determin- 

 ing the character of the flora of the New Jersey Pinebarrens are held to be soil acidity and low 

 salt content. — L. B. Walker. 



967. Wherry, Edgar T. Observations on the soil acidity of Ericaceae and associated 

 plants in the Middle Atlantic States. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 72: 84-111. 1920.— 

 Tests of soils in the native habitats of 42 species of Ericaceae show very definite acid relation- 

 ships. The optimum acid, frequently-observed acid, and occasional acid values of soils are 

 given for each species. A similar table gives comparable results for the Orchidaceae. — L. B. 

 Walker. 



968. Wherry, Edgar T. Plant distribution around salt marshes in relation to soil acidity. 

 Ecology 1 : 42-48. 1920. — Evidence is presented to show that soil acidity is closely related to 

 the distribution of native plants. The transition from low alkalinity in salt marches to high 

 acidity of soil surrounding these marches is sharp, the change occurring within the space of a 

 few centimeters. The acidity of soils around such marshes is explained on the basis of ad- 

 sorption of basic ions by clay and humus with liberation of acid, mainly hydrochloric and 

 sulphuric. Lists of species are given occurring on circumneutral and acidic soils in New 

 Jersey and at Oak Island near Boston. — Charles A. Shull. 



969. Winters, S. R. Measuring evaporation. Sci. Amer. 124: 13. / fig. 1921. — A 

 brief description is given of an evaporimeter used by the U. S. Forest Service. — Chas. H. 

 Otis. 



VEGETATION 



970. Bolton, Edith. Plant life in Cheddar caves. Nature 106: 180. 1920.— The author 

 reports the identity of plants previously reported (Nature 105: 709. 1920). These are: 

 Plagiothecium denticulattim, Amblystegium serpens, and Fissidens hryoides; also a unicellular 

 green alga, and a few fern prothallia. The spores were probably introduced on spades or 

 on clothes of workmen, as previously suggested. — 0. A. Stevens. 



971. CowLES, H. C. The rising rock shores of northern Lake Michigan. [Abstract.] 

 Ecology 1 : 63. 1920. 



