036 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



plant in which the pteni was cnt about 3 in. above the surface of the soil in the 

 flower pot, and a glass tube firmly connected with it. Through this tube the sap 

 was forced to a height of 9 ft. 10 in., the total amount of sap passing through the 

 tut)e being 105 cc. As this phenomenon is usually accounted for by osmotic pressure 

 of the cell sap, the author believes that in this case it could be hardly due to that 

 alone, as the sap in the glass tube was of a too dilute solution. The results obtained 

 are believed to be far in excess of that indicated in van't Hoff 's law. 



The occurrence of calcium oxalate crystals in seedlings of alsike clover, J. 

 Percival {Jour. Linn. Sac. [London'], Bot., 35 {1902), No. 245, pp. 396-402, fig if. G).— 

 An examination was made of the seedlings grown on filter paper moistened with dis- 

 tilled water, and it was found that the crystals of calcium oxalate appear along the 

 vascular bundles in the petioles of the cotyledons and are distributed evenly along 

 their length. With increasing age a few crystals may be noticed along the vascular 

 bundles which run through the cotyledons; and as soon as the primary leaves appear, 

 crystals may be found in them lying near the vascular bundles. In seedlings grown 

 in a very damp atmosphere, the crystals diminish in number proportionately. 



On the localization of daphnine in Daphne laureola, W. Rissell {Rev. Gm. 

 Bot., 14 {1902), No. 100, pp. 420-420) . — The laurel, or laurel spurge ( Daphne laureola), 

 is a common undershrub of Europe and is reputed as being poisonous as well as having 

 certain medicinal characters. A study has' been made of the different parts of the 

 plant to determine the localization of the alkaloid daphnine. This substance was found 

 localized in the epidermis of the older organs of the plant, in the cortex and ligneous 

 rays of the stem and leaves, and in a small quantity in the roots. It is always accom- 

 panied by oleaginous deposits, which are quite characteristic of this plant. 



Report of the botanist, C. K. Bessey {Nebraska State Bd. Ayr. lipt. 1901, pp. 

 95-129, figs. 10). — A preliminary account is given of the plants of Nebraska which are 

 reputed to be poisonous or suspected of being so. The plants are arranged according 

 to families, and each species briefly discussed, after which a list is given of the j)oison- 

 ous plants arranged according to their effect. 



A catalogue of the grasses of Belgium and their fungus parasites, II. Van- 

 DERYST ( Eld. Agr. [Bntssels], IS { 1902), No. 6, pp. 1044-1059) . — A list of grasses found 

 indigenous and growing under cultivation is given, together with an tMiumeration of 

 their rust and smut i)arasites. 



Notes on plants received for identification and their economic value, J. B. 

 Davy {California Sta. Rpt. 1899-1901, pt. 2, pp. 345-383). — Notes are given on a large 

 number of plants which have been received from time to time for identification, and 

 suggestions offered relating to their economic value. In addition, lists are given of 

 seeds and plants received at the station, as well as of the exchanges which have been 

 carried on between that and other institutions. 



Studies on the reproduction of some of the higher fungi, A. pe Gomont de 

 Lesi'ARRe {Etude snr la rrproduetion sexuelle de (piehpies champiguons .Kuperieurs. Paris: 

 Paul Klinksieck, 1902, pp. XX-\-61, pis. 3, figs. 16; rev. in Jour. Roy. Micros. Sac. 

 [London'], 1902, No. 4, PP- 472, 473).— A historical account is given of the sexual 

 development and growth of truffles, the various speculations regarding the origin 

 and nature of this organism being noted in some detail. The question of the i)ar- 

 asitism of truffles is discussed and the author believes that while truflles sometimes 

 live as parasites on the roots of trees they grow equally well as saprophytes in the 

 soil. He has found that the spores germinate on the leaves of irees such as oaks, 

 walnuts, etc., and usually near the central vein of the leaf. They are transmitted to 

 the leaves by insects or by such mechanical agents as the wind. The most favorable 

 time for germination is in December when the leaves are fresh and green, often 

 being still retained upon the tree. The germination and sexuality of the spores are 

 described, and the results of experiments with other Hymenomycetes are given. 



