ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 417 



New Chinese Mosses.* — I. Tlieriot publishes descriptions of a 

 number of new species and varieties of mosses, most of tliem collected 

 in China by the missionaries Cavalerie, Esquirol, and Fortunat. 



Mosses of Tahiti. f—R. Potier de la Yarde publishes a contriluition 

 to the moss-tlora of Tahiti — a list of 17 species, two of which he describes 

 as new to science, namely Weisia davinervis and Bryum Larminati. 



Hawaiian Kepatics4 — C. M. Cooke, jun., gives an account of the 

 Hawaiian hepaticje of the tribe Trigonanthes. These are represented 

 by 26 species belonging to seven genera — namely, Lepidozia (3 species), 

 Acromastpjum (1), Bazzania (lo), Kantia{V), Odontosc.]mma{2>), Cepha- 

 lozia (5). The number of new species is seven. All but one of the 

 species treated are figured. 



Thallophyta. 

 Algae. 



(By Mrs. E. S. Gepp.) 



Rhodochytrium.§ — R. F. Griggs gives an account of the development 

 and cytology of Rhodochytrium, a plant which seems to occupy a tran- 

 sitional position between the protococcoid algae and the chytridiaceous 

 fungi. Lagerheim described it as an alga ; but it has no chlorophyll, 

 and is strictly parasitic in its mode of life ; and it is limited to definite 

 host-species. Although incapable of photosynthesis, it develops abun- 

 dant starcli. This starch is formed directly in the cytoplasm ; neither 

 plastids nor pyrenoids are present. Rhodochytrium has-been found in 

 Ecuador and the United States. Griggs's account is presented under 

 the following headings : — Observations on living material ; the questions 

 of species ; the development of the resting spores : the starch grains ; 

 the development of the zoosporangia ; the primary nucleus : mitosis ; 

 amitosis ; cytological comparisons ; alga or fungus ; evolutionary 

 inferences. The microscopical sti'ucture is copiously illustrated. Rhodo- 

 ckytrii/m is not related to any Archimycete, but appears to be closely 

 related to the Protococcoidere through Phyllobmm. The Phyllobiaa 

 much resemble Synchytrium in gross morphology. The cytology of 

 Rhodochytrium strongly resembles that of Synchytrium. This suggests 

 that Synchytriam was derived from protococcoid ancestors. Griggs 

 thinks that Rhodochytrium is most conveniently placed among the Algae. 



Cell-wall of Closteriuni.il — C. van Wisselingh publishes his re- 

 searches on the study of the cell-wall of Closteriinn. This consists of 

 layers of different ages, the youngest being on the inside, and rich in 

 cellulose. There is a slight chemical modification of the wall at the 

 part where cell-division takes place. The primary division-wall contains 

 no cellulose. The author describes the method of enlargement of 

 Closterium cells after continued division, and many other details. 



* Bull. Soc. Geogr. Bot. (1911) pp. 269-72. 

 t Eev. Bryolog., xxxix. (1912) pp. 20-1 (figs.). 

 X Trans. Conn. Acad. Arts Sci., xii. pp. i-t4 (15 pis.). 

 § Bot. Gaz., liii. (1912) pp 127-';3 (6 pis ). 

 II Zeitschr. Bot., iv. (1912) pp. 337-89 (figs.). 



