430 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 3fi 



The principles of plant teratology, W. C Wobsdell (London: Ray Soc, 1915, 

 vol. 1, pp. XXIV-\-270, pis. 25, figs. 61). — This book is designed to describe in a 

 scientific manner abnormalities in the plant l3:ingdom and to determine why the 

 structures are present and how they came to be produced. The author con- 

 siders the study of teratological data of importance in determining various 

 morphological problems, and the work is offered as a contribution to the evolu- 

 tionary origin of plant organs. The present volume treats of the teratology of 

 fungi, bryophytes, etc., and of the root, stem, and leaves of higher plants. A 

 volume dealing with the flower is contemplated. 



Morph.olog'y of the flowers of Zea mays, P. Weathebwax (Bui. Torrey Bot. 

 Club, 43 {1916), No. 3, pp. 127-lU, pls. 2, figs. 4).— The author reports the re- 

 sult of a study carried on for about two years on the morphological characters 

 of the flowers in six subspecies of Z. tnays. 



Maize is normally monoecious. Both male and female spikelets are two- 

 flowered. The silk is structurally and functionally a stigma. Pollination is 

 effected by gravity or wind. Though cross-pollination is more usually the 

 method, self-pollination occurs to some extent. In flowers of either sex, the 

 rudimentary organs of the opposite sex may be replaced by organs of normal 

 appearance which are regularly functional in some varieties of corn. 



Xerophotic movements in leaves, F. C. Gates {Bot. Gaz., 61 {1916), No. 5, 

 pp. 399-407, figs. 8; abs. in Science, n. ser., 43 {1916), No. 1106, pp. 360, 361).— 

 An account is given of observation and experimentation on xerophotic response 

 as manifested in the upward turning or curling movements of leaf blades result- 

 ing from the drying effect produced through the agency of light, particularly 

 direct sunlight. The lessened turgor of the cells of the upper side allows a 

 movement in the direction from which the desiccating agency comes, the result- 

 ing position decreasing the amount of radiant energy received and thus reduc- 

 ing the harmful action of intense sunlight upon chlorophyll and transpiration. 



In the localized type of xerophotic response, the difference in turgidity is con- 

 fined to a limited area, such as the pulvini of the leaflets. In the more general- 

 ized type, the difference is between the upper and the lower part of the blade. 

 The first type is said to have been noted in all species of legumes studied and 

 to have been observed in some other families. The second type has been ob- 

 served in the monocotyledonous families Poacese, Aracese, Marantacese, and 

 Zingiberacese. While in nature the response was produced by direct stimula- 

 tion from the sun, it was produced also by the action of the chemical desiccat- 

 ing agents alcohol and xylol on Gliricidia sepium and Ipomosa pes-caprce. The 

 amount of movement which took place under suitable conditions at any season 

 varied with different conditions between 45 and 70° above the horizontal. 



The daily movements of leg'uminous leaflets, F. C. Gates {Plant World, 19 

 {1916), No. 2, pp. 42-45, figs. 2). — In giving a daily program of the movements 

 of leguminous leaflets under the Influence of direct sunlight, as above noted, 

 two classes may be considered. One, exemplified by Gliricidia sepium, is that 

 of plants with a drooping night position. The other, exemplified by Leuccena 

 glauca, is that in which the night position is above instead of below the hori- 

 zontal. The changes during 24 hours are discussed, with mention of a certain 

 amount of irregularity observable about the time of the full moon. 



The wai-m water treatment of the seeds of certain herbaceous and green 

 manure plants that are diflBcult to germinate, J. A. Honing (Meded. Deli- 

 Proefstat. Medan, 10 {1916), No. 1, pp. 16-23).— The results are given of some 

 experiments in the germination of Albizzia, Mimosa, Pithecolobium, and Cro- 

 talaria seeds previously immersed in warm water at different temperatures and 

 for different lengths of time. 



