m BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



difference in the direction of convolution of any two blossoms of the 

 same branch. — W. W. Bailey. 



P. S. 1 find, upon consulting LeMaout and DeCaisne under Stercu- 

 liaceee two diagrams of Hermann ia are given, the one "twisted to the 

 right,'' the other to the left. It is not spoken of in the text. — 'W. W. B. 



Recent Publications. — American Journal of Science and Arts, May. 

 — Dr. Leo Errera, in Belgium, has been investigating some Pentste- 

 mons and has come to the conclusion that the principal function of 

 the sterile filament is to obstruct the access of unwelcome insects to 

 the nectar at the base of the flower. 



American Xatnralist, May. — In regard to the self-fertilization of 

 plants the conclusions of the Rev. Geo. Henslovv are given as follows : 

 "1. The majority of flowering plants can, and possibly do, fertilize 

 themselves. 2. Very few plants are known to be physiologically 

 self-sterile when the pollen of a flower is j^laced on the stigma of the 

 same flower. 3. vSeveral plants are known to be morphologically 

 self-sterile in that the pollen cannot, without aid, reach the stigma, 

 but is effective on that of the same flower. 4. Self-sterile plants 

 from both the above causes can become self-fertile. 5. Highly self- 

 fertile forms may arise under cultivation. 6, Special adaptations 

 occur for self-fertilization." 



Ferns of North America, Parts 14 and 15. — This number contains 

 Aspidiam Goldianuni, Hooker, A. Fillx-nias^ Swartz, Poly podium pec- 

 tinatum, L., P. Phyllitidis, L., Pelleea Bridgesii, Hooker, P. Breweri^ 

 Eaton, NothoJff-na tenera, Gillies, Dickson ia pilosiuscida, Willd., (D. 

 piinctilohula, Kunze.), Cheilanthes tomentosa, Link, and C Eatoni, Baker. 



Journcd of Botany, British and Foreign. — On the Sources of the 

 China Matting of Commerce. In addition to the matting used for 

 sails. Canton and the large district city of Tung-kun are the seats of 

 an extensive manufacture of floor-matting, almost all of which is ex- 

 ported to the United States. Tiie plant from which it is woven is 

 f'yperus tegetiformis, Roxb. 



The third part of Prof Beccari's J/rt/e.s'/o- describes five new species 

 of Osmoxylon and nine of Rhododendron. Three s})ecies of Nepenthes 

 are found in New Guinea. But the most interesting plant figured 

 and described is Corsia, from the north coast of New Guinea; it is a 

 .small aphyllous parasite, with a scaly stem bearing a single terminal 

 flower. It may form the type of a new Natural Order Corsiacese. 

 Parts 80 and 81 of the Flora Brasiliensis were issued in December, 

 1878. In the proceedings of the Linnean Society of London, there 



