212 TAXONOMY, VASC. PLANTS [BoT. Absts., Vol. X, 



scribed stands in the state forest of Chillon at an elevation of 700 m. with a circumference of 

 1.82 m. at breast height, and a height of 21.5 m. During the last 16 years its average growth 

 per year has been 4.4 mm. in diameter and 6-7 cm. in height. Other yew trees of greater 

 diameter are known but the tallest recorded, aside from the Chillon yew, is 19 m. — J . F. 

 Hofmann. 



1391. GuNDERSBN, Alpred. Plant families: a plea for an international sequence. New 

 Phytol. 19: 264-271. 1920. — Several proposed classifications are quoted and the following 

 summary is given: " 1. A periodic inventory of facts and opinions which appear to have a 

 bearing on the sequence of families, especially of living vascular plants, is to be greatly de- 

 sired. 2. Where facts are not conclusive the definite goal of a truly international sequence 

 should be sought through agreement. 3. Standard numbers as part of symbols for plant 

 families, revised at suitable intervals, would serve important practical purposes, especially in 

 the co-ordination of information." — /. F. Lewis. 



1392. Hay ATA, Btinzo. The natural classification of plants according to the dynamic sys- 

 tem. Icones Plantarum Formosanarum 10: 97-234. 1921. — The author proposes an arrange- 

 ment of the families of flowering plants that is subject to change according to the viewpoint 

 of the systematizer. This is in direct opposition to the prevalent view that regards only one 

 natural system of classification possible since only one phylogenetic tree is possible. Species, 

 genera, and families have changeable positions according to the criteria of comparison and it 

 is neither natural nor necessary that a species should in all cases be placed between the same 

 limits. Rather it should be placed between certain limits according to one view and between 

 other limits according to another view. The inter-relationships of plants are to be expressed 

 rather by the complications of a net than by the serial order of the branches of a tree. The 

 resemblance of individuals or species is not confined to cases of blood-relationship but is 

 manifested by the constitutional relationship. All individuals possess innumerable genes or 

 factors. The individuals assume various forms according to the particular genes that are 

 potent or latent and according to the different relations or segregations of potent genes. The 

 relation of one individual to the others in phenomenal appearance is the relation of the mutual 

 participation or sharing of potent or latent genes in individuals. As genes change so change 

 individuals. Actual or blood relationship is only one phase of the dynamic system. If 

 organisms are very similar in their external forms they should be taken into the same group. 

 The author contrasts in great detail his dynamic system with the static one of Engler. That 

 author's sequence is used as a framework and grouped about the families are arranged the other 

 families that, in one way or another, are related to them. Another order rather than Engler's 

 could have been used as a framework with equal value. Engler's sequence is recapitulated 

 and under each family is discussed its relationships with other families. — E. B. Payson. 



1393. Hitchcock, A. S. Report of the Committee on Nomenclature of the Botanical Society 

 of America. Science 53: 312-314. 1921. — The committee of 9 members presents a code of 

 rules. It suggests that, because the code invites international support, the judicial body 

 should be an international commission and that this code be recommendations to it. — C J. 

 Lyon. 



1394. R[oper], I, M. [Rev. of: Hayward, Ida, and G. Claridge Druce. The ad- 

 ventive flora of Tweedside. xxxii + 296 p. T. Buncle & Co.: Arbroath, 1919.] Bot. Soc. 

 and Exchange Club British Isles Rept. 5: 596-597. 1919 [1920]. 



SPERMATOPHYTES 



1395. Bennett, Arthur. Atriplex calotheca: a correction. Jour. Botany 59: 77. 1921. 

 — The plant so listed in Jour. Bot. 58: 295. 1920 is not that species and the record is with- 

 drawn. — K. M. Wiegand. 



