ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICKOSCOPY, ETC, 483 



present method of classification, wliicli rests upon ill-defined morpho- 

 logical differences. 



The two main groups of the new classification depend upon the 

 arrangement of the vascular bundles in the stem and leaf-stalk ; in the 

 first and largest group these bundles cross one another, while in the 

 second and smaller group they tend to arrange themselves in a more or 

 less complete circle. These two main groups are each subdivided into 

 two groups, in one of which stomata are found on both surfaces of the 

 leaf, and in the other are confined to one surface. Further subdivisions 

 are based upon the position of hairs and papilla?, the structure of the 

 palisade-tissue, the presence of stipules, etc. 



General. 



Fasciation in Maize Kernels.* — T. K. Wolfe publishes a paper 

 dealing witli the relative weight of hybrid and pure seed produced by 

 crossing different varieties of maize. In the present experiment the 

 seed-parent was a variety of yellow dent and the pollen-parent a variety 

 of white dent. Two kernels were selected from the experimental ear, 

 differing from the remaining kernels in having a slight ridge of 

 demarcation, on one side of which the colour was yellow and on the 

 other paler yellow. Examination showed that each of these kernels 

 contained two embryos, both of which were successfully germinated 

 and brought to maturity ; they were then self -pollinated by hand, and 

 the four ears thus produced (i.e. one from each embryo) were reserved 

 for further experiment. All four ears showed Mendelian splitting, and 

 the average ratio of yellow to white kernels was 3 ■ 6 1 : 1 ; none of the 

 kernels possessed two embryos like their parents. 



The author intends to continue the experiments, and to publish an 

 account of the results obtained during the present season. 



Hybridation between Juglans and Corylus.t — L, Daniel publishes 

 a brief description of an anomalous fruit borne by a walnut tree. The 

 shell (i,e. the endocarp) was wrinkled, but was of a conical shape and 

 entire. The kernel was exactly like that of a hazel-nut, except for its 

 mode of attachment which was similar to that of the Avalnut ; around 

 the kernel were the fragments of tissue characteristic of the hazel-nut, 

 and at the base were numerous ridges and grooves. The seed was 

 successfully germinated and produced a seedling entirely similar to that 

 of the hazeC but owing to an accident the young plant died, so that its 

 further development could not be traced. The author believes that 

 this is a case of natural but unusual hybridization between the walnut 

 and the hazel, since the branches of the tree bearing this fruit were 

 closely intertwined with those of a hazel. The behaviour in germination 

 recalls the results obtained by J. Daniel with certain species of beans. 



* Amer. Nat., 1. (1916) pp. 306-9 (3 figs.). 



t Rev. Gen. Bot„ xxviii. (1916) pp. 11-14 (12 figs.). 



