416 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



(Paspalum distiehum and P. dilitatum) are figured and described. On 

 account ofits decumbent habit, the former is said to he specially adapted 

 for covering river banks or water holes and especially as it withstands 

 temporary inundation and keeps green throughout the year. The sec- 

 ond species, which has been introduced into Australia from America, lias 

 proved an excellent fodder plant, keeping green during the hottest sum- 

 mer and proving hardy at an elevation of 2,000 ft. It is said to be par- 

 ticularly adapted for cultivation in the light sandy soils on account of 

 its root system, which not only secures moisture from the deeper layers 

 of the soil, but also prevents its destruction by grazing animals. 



West Australian grasses, F. Turner (West Australian Settler's 

 Guide and Farmer's Handbook, 1897, pt. 3, pp. 402-417, figs. 10).— Of the 

 119 species of grasses found in western Australia the author states 

 that the most valuable and nutritious species are the following: Six 

 species of Andropogon, 3 of Anthistiria, 3 of Ohloris, 5 of Danthonia, 

 2 of Diplachne, 8 of Eragrostis, 8 of Panicum, and 6 of Poa, with 

 several species belonging to other genera. Illustrated descriptive notes 

 are given of 9 of the most valuable grasses, viz, Andropogon bombycinus, 

 j ! nthistiria avenacea, A. ciliata, A.membranacea, Astrebla pectinata, Dan- 

 thonia semiannularis, Panicum deeompositum, P. graeile, and Pollinia 

 fulca. 



Plant life, C. R. Barxes (New York: Henry Holt $ Co., 1898, pp. VII+428, Jigs. 

 415). — This attractive little work treats of plant life considered with special refer- 

 ence to form and function. It is designed to show the variety and progressive 

 complexity of the vegetative body, explain the unity of plan in structure and action 

 of the reproductive organs, and to give an outline of the more striking ways in which 

 plants adapt themselves to their environment. The book is intended to be supple- 

 mentary to laboratory guides and teachers' directions. The work is divided into 

 the following divisions: The plant body, physiology, reproduction, and ecology; 

 with appendices dealing with laboratory studies, directions for collecting and pre- 

 serving materials, and descriptions of necessary apparatus and reagents. 



AVhile the author states that the work is intended for use in secondary schools, 

 it is confidently believed that its introduction into many institutions not desiring 

 to be so classified would be advantageous both to teacher and student. 



A revision of the Mexican and Central American species of Galium and 

 Relbunium, J. M. Greenman (Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts and Sci., 33 (1S9S), No. 25, pp. 

 455-470). 



Icones fungorum arranged according to Saccardo's Sylloge, A. N. Berlese 

 (Phycomyceies, Pt. I. Berlin: Friedlander <('■ Sohn, 1S9S, pp. 1-40, col. pis. 67). — This 

 part treats of the 1'eroiiosporacea: 



Hicoria ovata (Amer. Florist, 14 (1898), No. 542, fig. 1). — Brief illustrated notes are 

 given concerning this tree. 



Notes on some Japanese Melampsoree, N. Hiratsuka (Hot. Mag. [Tokyo'}, 12 

 (1898), No. 134, pp. 30-34). 



On the biology and morphology of pollens. A. Hansgirg (Sitzber. Bohm. Gesell. 

 Wiss. Math.- Naturw. CI., 1897, No. 23, pp. 76; aim. in Hot. Centbl., 75 (1898), No. 1, pp. 

 19-21). 



Symbiosis and parasitism, A. Lorenzen (Natur,47 (1S98), No.23,pp.265,:.'i>6 . 



Can isolated chloroplastids continue to assimilate? A. J. Ewart (Bot.Centbh, 

 75 (1S9S), No. 2, pp. 33-36). — The author states that it may be accepted as definitely 

 established that isolated chloroplastids may continue to assimilate for a short time 

 after removal from their parent cell. 



