420 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



as overrunning pas^ture fields, one of the most troublesome of which proved to be a 

 species of Crepis. The spreading habit of the plant prevents the groM-th of more 

 valuable species, and by its abundant fruit multiplies quite rapidly. It is suggested 

 that its spread may be prevented by cutting when in flower, but where very abun- 

 dant the pasture should be abandoned and cultivated crops grown for a few years. 

 A brief report is also made of the occurrence of soft brome grass in a wheat field. 

 For some reason the wheat had been crowded out, and four-fifths of the crop is said 

 to be made up of this weed. Since the soft ])rome grass is an annual, it could be 

 easily eradicated if careful attention be given the subject. 



Report of the section of botany, A. Lofgren {E.vtr. from Relat. Com. Geogr. e 

 Geol. Sao Paulo, 1901, pp. l£7).—ln addition to the routine report, in which the 

 investigations during the year are briefly described, an appendix is added in which 

 the different varieties of fruit occurring in the botanic garden are enumerated, and 

 an account given of the seed-testing investigations, and descriptions of camphor, 

 esparto grass, ipecac, cassava, jute, perfume plants, and certain species of Acacia 

 and Eucalyptus. 



Report of the government botanist, J. H. Maiden (-1^7?'. Gaz. New South Wales, 

 13 {1902), Xo. 5, pp. 499-501). — A brief report is given of the various investigations 

 undertaken by the author during the year. 



Flora of the Galapagos Islands, B. L. Robinson {Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts and 

 Sci, 38 {190J), Xo. 4, pp. 77-270, pis. 2). — A list is given with description of new 

 species of the flora of the Galapagos Islands, the study being based upon the collec- 

 tion secured by the Hopkins-Stanford expedition to those islands. In addition an 

 attempt has been made to summarize all theavailable information regarding the flora 

 of these islands,, and a bibliography of the subject is appended. 



The phylogeny of the cotyledon, H. L. Lyon {Po.^felsia, the Yearbook of tJte .Min- 

 nesota Seaside Stidion, 1901. St. Paid, 1902, pp. ,55-<§6).— According to the author, the 

 typical embryo of ferns and angiosperms is differentiated into 3 primary members — 

 the cotyledon, stem, and root. Cotyledons are not arrested leaves, but are primarily 

 haustorial organs. The monocotyledonous condition is the primitive one and pre- 

 vails in the mosses, ferns, monocotyledons, and some gymnosperms. The 2 or more 

 cotyledons of dicotyledonous plants are jointly the homologue of the single cotyledon 

 of the monocotyledonous plant. The cotyledon always occurs at the base of the 

 primary stem. The hypocotyl is a structure peculiar to the angiosperms, being dif- 

 ferentiated between the primary stem and root. The so-called cotyledons of the 

 pteridophytes and gymnosperms, with the possible exception of ginkgo and the 

 Cycads, are true foliage leaves. 



Some neglected factors in discussions of heredity, G. J. Peirce {Ahs. in 

 Science, n. ser., Hi {1902), Xo. 395, p. 137). — In discussing heredity the author claims 

 that organisms are exposed to certain influences which are constant in their varia- 

 tion and intensity. Among these influences are atmosphere, the earth, water, grav- 

 ity, etc. These influences can not be escaped nor have they been eliminated in any 

 experiments so far as known, and their importance can only be guessed. The 

 reaction of living organisms to these influences should be considered in all discussions 

 of heredity. 



Soil temperatures and vegetation, I). T. MacDougai. {AIjs. in Science, n. ser., 

 16 {1902), Xo. 395, p. 137). — A description is given of a method of making observa- 

 tions on soil temperatures by means of the newly designed Hallock thermograph, 

 and the influence of temperatures of soil and air on plant growth was commented 

 upon. 



On the distribution of acids in stems, leaves, and flowers, A. Astruc ( Compt. 

 Bend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 133 {1901), Xo. 13, pp. 491-493; abs. in Bot. Centbl.,89 {1902), 

 No 16, p. 462). — An investigation is reported of a score or more genera of plants for 

 the distribution of free or combined acids which exist quite commonly in plants. 



