BOTANY. 747 



The relative proportion of mineral matter in the pods increased to the end. The 

 variation in the lime, magnesia, potash, and phosphoric arid content was noted. 

 The relative quantity of lime and magnesia increased progressively in the rapines 

 and beans until approaching maturity, when there was a falling oft of about one- 

 fourth in the lime content and a less amount in the magnesia content. In the maize 

 cobs these elements continued to increase until maturity. The potash content con- 

 tinually increased in the pods, cobs, and seed of each species. The amount of 

 phosphoric acid in the dry matter increased in the pods tor a while, after which it 

 diminished. The phosphoric acid content in the seed increased continuously, there 

 seeming to be a transfer of tins compound from pod to seed, like that from leavesas 

 they approach maturity. Similar results are noted for the grain and cob of maize. 



The author proposes to continue these investigations, taking up the changes of 

 organic compounds during the process of ripening. 



Golden seal, Alice Hexkel and G. F. Klugh | U. S. DepL Agr.. Bureau of Plant 

 Industry Bui. 51, pi. 6. pp. 16, jJs. :. figs. 4 |. — Notes are given on the identification, 

 geographical distribution, and conditions under which the golden seal I Hydrastis 

 canadensis | is grown, and the methods of collecting and preparing the rhizomes f. >r 

 market are described. The increased use of this plant in medicine has resulted in a 

 wide demand for information concerning it and the possibilities of its cultivation. 

 The principal supply at present is from wild plants, but it is shown that under arti- 

 ficial shade the golden seal can be cultivated without much difficulty. It is said 

 that the limited demand for the plant will prevent its extensive cultivation, as the 

 price would soon fall to an unremunerative figure. 



Barley grass, J. H. Maiden i Agr. Gaz. New South Wales, 15 {1904), No. 10. pp. 

 988-984, pi- 1- f".i- !)• — A description is given of barley grass (Hordeum murinum), 

 also called squirrel grass, foxtail, etc. This grass is rather widely distributed, not 

 only in New South Wales. Europe, etc.. but an allied species occurs in this country, 

 and the effect of the awns on sheep and other animals is shown. Quotations are 

 given from Wyoming Station Bulletin 19 (E. S. R., 6, p. 040) relating to the allied 

 species, in which suggestions are made for the eradication of this pest. 



Phosphorescent plants. EL Molisch (Leuchtende Pflanzen. ./■ 'her, 



1904. pp. IN ; . . — A physiological study is given of various self- 



luminous plants. After discussing the rather doubtful possession of luminosity by 

 algae and related organisms, many of which were found to give negative results, the 

 author takes up the study of self-luminous fungi and bacteria, as well as the causes 

 of phosphorescence in meats, vegetables, insects, etc. 



A review is given of the species of fungi and bacteria found to be self-luminous, 

 and 20 species of higher fungi and 26 species of bacteria are listed. About half of 

 the publication is taken up in describing the author's experiments with luminous 

 bacteria, the effect of various substances added to the media in which they were 

 grown, the effect of temperature, growth, etc., being studied. Various theories as 

 to phosphorescence are discussed, and experiments with the bacterial light on other 

 plants are described. 



The spectrum of the light was studied, photographs made by the light emitted 

 from cultures, and numerous experiments made which showed positive heliotropism 

 toward the light on the part of numerous seedlings and fungi. The bacterial light 

 was found to be without effect on chlorophyll production, doubtless due to its lack 

 of intensity. In conclusion, the phenomenon of luminosity in higher plants is 

 discussed at some length. 



Drift sand reclamation in Australia [Agr. Jo>> . .'.' .J (1904), 



No. 6, pp. 679-685). — The successful use of marram grass {Ammophila arundinai 

 on coast sand ridges near Goolwa, South Australia, is described. 



The biology of Sterigmatocystis versicolor, H. Coupix and J. Friedel ( CbmpL 

 Raul. Acad. Set [Pom], 188 {1904), No. 18, pp. 1118-1180).— Tim polymorphous 



