BOTANY. 541 



protected leaf buds there is found a yellow principle, which has been termed etio- 

 phyll, which is contained in an organized body termed an etioplast. This etioplast 

 does not appear to contain either starch or proteid substances. 



The blue, purple, and red color substances in flowers are held in solution in the 

 cell sap and are distinguished from the plastid colors by being insoluble in ether, 

 xylol, benzol, chloroform, and similar solvents, but readily soluble in water and 

 alcohol. Cell-sap colors are found in early or spring leaves and also in autumn leaves 

 which correspond to the cell-sap colors of flowers. 



The author considers that the chromoplastids of flowers and fruits have a special 

 function in manufacturing or storing nitrogenous food materials, for the use of the 

 developing embryo or developing seed. The chromoplasts in such roots as the car- 

 rot are utilized by the plant the second year. Cell-sap colors, like other unorganized 

 cell contents, are held to be incident to physiological activity and of secondary im- 

 portance in the attraction of insects. 



Mannite as a possible reserve food in flowering plants, F. H. Storek (Bui. 

 Basset/ Inst., 3 (1904), pt. 4, pp. 98-111). — Investigations were undertaken to deter- 

 mine whether mannite and mannan accompany each other in plants or parts of plants 

 which habitually contain mannan. The method of separation and tests are described, 

 and in the case of oat hay, June hay, and the leaves of certain grasses mannite was 

 found present, while negative results were obtained in many other cases. 



Assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen through turf-frequenting fungi, C. 

 Ternetz (Ber. Deut. Bol. Oesell, 22 (1904), P- 267; abs. in Bot. Centbl, 96 (1904), 

 No. 34, pp- 193, 194)- — Studies were made of the endotrophic Mycorrhiza found 

 growing on the roots of certain ericads common on the Swedish moors. The roots 

 were thoroughly washed with hydrochloric acid and distilled water, after which the 

 fungus was separated and grown upon the media recommended by Winogradsky for 

 cultures of Clostridium pasteurianum. 



The fungus grew readily, and analyses showed that it had assimilated appreciable 

 quantities of nitrogen from the air. When compared with the nitrogen assimilation 

 of C. pasteurianum, the organism under investigation assimilated from 6 to 10 mg. of 

 nitrogen for each gram of dextrose or more, while the Clostridium only assimilated 

 1 to 2 mg. per gram of dextrose consumed. 



Recent experiments in soil inoculation (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 11 (1904), 

 No. 6, pp. 34S-351). — The failure of the Nitragin put on the markets a few years ago 

 is commented upon, and an account given of recent investigations which seem to 

 have given favorable results with organisms produced in a different way from those 

 previously described. The failure of the Nitragin is believed to be due to the action 

 of secretions produced by the seed in early stages of germination. 



It was found possible to overcome this difficulty by sprouting the grain and then 

 treating it with the bacterial culture, but this was difficult and often impossible to 

 carry out. Under the new method of cultivation the bacteria are grown in media 

 which it is believed will give them the necessary power of resistance, hitherto lack- 

 ing. A tabular statement is given of 98 experiments with a number of leguminous 

 plants, of which 81 gave favorable results. 



Parasites as an aid in determining organic relationship, N. A. Cobb (Agr. 

 Gaz. New South Wales, 15 (1904), No. 9, pp. 845-848). — The author argues that a 

 critical study of the parasites. of plants and animals will often aid in discovering 

 specific and generic relationships of the hosts, as well as in following out other 

 metamorphoses. Important suggestions will also be given regarding the physiological 

 and chemical activity of the organisms. 



New or noteworthy Philippine plants, II, E. D. Merrill (Philippine Dept. 

 Int., Bureau Govt.Lahs. [Pub.], 1904, No. 17, pp. 47, pis. 3). — Descriptions are given 

 of a number of new species of plants, together with notes on some that have been 



