l30 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



been described that it seems not useless to give again a summary of the two larger 

 genera of the group. This is an enormous western genus, numbering 95 s[)ecies, seven 

 of tliem being described for tlic first time in tliis contribution, six by iVLr. Watson, and 

 cne by Prof. Porter. Chorizitiitlie, a polymorphous genus, with wiiich tlie genus Ceri- 

 trostegia is united, numlters 3") si)ecies, six of whicii are liere described for the first 

 time. Besides tlu'se tliree, tvvctnty other genera have received an accessi(jn of species. 

 A)iinr<()ittis has received five new species; liitbeniu-'m, three; Lacatera, Lupi/tux, (JiJiwth- 

 ^ra aiul Eldtcrlinii, q-ac\\ two; Tltrlypodiatu, Muli'astrain, 1' sun ilea,, LytlLruiii, Meiitzelia, 

 Aiigelicd, Mirdhilis, Abrou.la, liame.v, O.ri/t/ieca, Atriple.v, Corallorhiza, Suyrliirlduin and 

 Erythroniwm, each one. 



CaUilogne of tlie Society for the ExehHmje <f Plaiiia, Budai)est, llungaiy, 1876. — This 

 catalogue is of large dimensions and contains some very valuable plants, liichter 

 Lajos especially desires to receive Roxo^ Rultux, Orehifi, Sclera ntJevn, Hieniciuiu^ Eht- 

 tine, Viold; Primiild, Stili.r, Verhiiscit/n, PiilHutilla, and Folygouiuii acicuUire. 



Proceeding)^ of tlie Academy of Natural, Sciences of Philadelphia^ Part I. — January, 

 February, and March, 1877. — The botanical papers are not numerous or lengthy. The 

 first paper is the termination of a little discussion begun and carried on in Natiirehy 

 Dr. Gray and Thos. Meehan in reference to the fertilization of Browallia data The 

 next paper of botanical interest is a List of Ballast Plants in the neighborhood of Phil- 

 adeiphia, by Isaac Burk. The li.st numbers 135 species, giving the locality of each and 

 also its native habitat except when it Ix'longs to the British coasts. M. C. Cooke has a 

 pajtcr on the Valsei of the United Stales. Among the Va'sei he includes the names of 

 only two genera, namely, Valxa antl Melanronis. The paper is presented as a contribu- 

 tion towards the more complete and satisfactory knowledge of the Fungi of the United 

 States. Valsu numbers 133 species, and Melaaconix five. Mr. Meehan also has some 

 short papers, or rather notes, on "Influence of Nutrition on Fertilization," "The Blue- 

 bird and Holly Berries," "Vitality of Seeds under Low Temperature," and "Evolution- 

 ary Law, as Illustrated by Abnormal Growth in an Apple Tree." 



Aineriran NatKniliiit, July. — llahcaaria rotii/idifolia must be called OrrhiK rotundi- 

 folia, as after examination of live plants sent to the Botanic Garden, Dr. Gray has 

 found the plant to be a genuine Orchis and a true congener of 0. ^pectabilis. Dr. J. H. 

 Mellichamp has a note recording some late observations made b}- him upon the intoxi- 

 cating power of the sweet secretion of Sarracenia variolaris. In 1874 he had stated 

 that the sweet secretion was simply a lure to insects and not stupef^ying or intoxicating, 

 but another observer having arrived at conclusions directly op]iosite, fresh experiments 

 were made which resulted in the same conclusions that were first arrived at. Dr. Mel- 

 lichamp also sent two phials of the fiuid found at the bottom of the Sarracenia tubes. 

 Ex'periments were made in the Botanical Lal)oratory and confirmed the following state- 

 ment made by Dr. Mellichamp : "Pour out a teaspoonfuj or two of the fluid in an ounce 

 measure, or a small wine glass. Throw in a fiy so that his wings will be wet or slimed. 

 He will in a few minutes cease to struggle and will apperr as if dead. Take him out 

 after a while and let him dry, and in al)out half an hour he will revive." The experi- 

 ments with the fluid are still in progress, and we are promised the detailed results in the 

 August Naturalist. 



Till-: Germination of the (jknus Me(;.\uiuiiz.\, Tork. ; hy Asa Gray. — The fol- 

 lowing ai'ticle is of such general interest that we (piote it entire from the Am. Jour, of 

 Science and .l/'^s for July: 



"The object of this brief communication is to describe a peculiar strucrure whicli 

 Megarrliiza Californiea exliibits in germination, and lo call for observ;itious upon other 

 species, at the time of germination, in the hope of thereby extending our present imper- 



