BOTANY. 225 



Edible mushrooms of North Carolina, C. W. Hyams {Nortli Cnrolhid Siti. Bui. 

 177, pp. ^7-58). — Notes are given on the food value of mushroomy, directions for 

 their collection, and descriptiona of a number of the more important mushrooms 

 occurinjj; in the State. 



The sexual reproduction of fungi, P. A. Dangeakd {Bolnnistc, 7. wr., 1900, 

 No. 3-4, pp. 89-130). — A critical review is given of some of the recent literature 

 relating to the reproduction of fungi. 



On the evaporation of water by plants, F. Yanovchik {Selsk. Khoz. i Lyesov., 

 197 {1900), June, pp. 487-508). — Three series of experiments are described which 

 were carried out at the Kherson Experiment Field in 1898 and 1899. The amount 

 of water evaporated was determined by the aid of a special apparatus which is fully 

 described. In the series of experiments made in 1898 with spring wheat, the 

 humidity of the soil was kept in 3 vessels at 50 per cent, in 1 at 40 jier cent, and in 

 2 at 30 per cent of saturation, which corresponds to 16, 12.8 and 9.6 per cent of 

 water, respectively, in the soil. The evaporation per gram of dry matter from the 

 vessels with 50 per cent humidity was 512, 532, and 555 gm., respectively; from the 

 vessel Avith 40 per cent humidity, 484 gm. ; and from the 2 vessels with 30 per cent 

 humidity, 591 and 578 gm. , respectively. In 1899, 2 series of experiments were carried 

 out. In the first series the soil contained 18.7 per cent water and was kept in 6 

 vessels at this optimum of humidity and in 2 at 14 per cent. In 2 vessels l)arley was 

 grown, in 2 oats, and in 4 spring wheat. In 2 of the vessels with wheat, the soil 

 was maintained at 14 per cent of humidity. The evaporation per gram of dry matter 

 was as follows: From barley, 471.8 and 470.6 gm.; from oats, 666 and 615.3 gm. ; 

 from wheat (with optimum humidity), 542.9 and 518.2 gm.; and from wheat (with 

 14 per cent humidity), 452.2 and 466.4 gm. of water. In the second half of the 

 summer another series of experiments was carried out with barley, but not so much 

 with a view of establishing the normal amounts of water evaporated (the season 

 being too much advanced) , as for a comparison of the amounts of water evaporated 

 ])y different varieties of barley. The soil was kept at the optimum humidity. There 

 evaporation per gram of dry matter from two-rowed barley, 456.7 and 404.7 gm.; 

 square head barley, 378.9 and 400.4 gm.; Guymalaye barley, 329.6 and 335 gm. ; 

 and Trifurcate barley, 314.5 gm. of water. — p. fireman. 



On the presence of invertin or sucrose in grapes, V. Martinand (Compt. 

 Rend. Acad. Sci Paris, 131 {1900), No. SO, pp. 808'810).~The author states that he 

 has found invertin present in the juice of the grapes of all varieties that he has been 

 able to obtain. A method of separation is described, as well as some of the properties 

 of the substance. Invertin acts upon sucrose best at a temperature of 54 to 56° C. 

 The quantity of acetic acid, which limits its maximum action, lies between 5 and 13 

 parts per thousand. It does not pass through a porcelain filter, and is partially 

 arrested l)y the filter paper ordinarily employed in laboratories. Its properties 

 in general are very similar to those of the diastase secreted by AspergiJlus niger. 

 The quantity of sucrose found in the grapes is comparatively large, as shown by the 

 amount of sugar which it is able to invert. It is also found present in the leaves of 

 the grape, 2.5 gm. of fresh leaves furnishing a unit of sucrose. Its action in ferment- 

 ing must is stated, and it is further said that it is never found in wine that has been 

 well oxidized, nor in wines which are attacked by bacterial diseases. 



Concerning a diastase which inverts saccharose in white wines, B. Fallot 

 andL. MicnoN {Rec. 17/., 1900, No^. 347, pp. 141-144; 348, pp. 179-181; 349, pp. 

 197-201). 



On the exosmosis of diastases of plants, J. Laurknt {Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. 

 Paris, 131 {1900), No. 21, pp. 848-851). — From cultures with sterile media, the 

 a,uthor has shown that starch may be utilized by young maize plantlets, their roots not 

 only absorbing a small (juantity of soluble starch which is formed during the steriliza- 

 tion of the liquid at 120° C, but starch paste was liquefied and served as a nutrient 



