KOTANY. 619 



The errors in the Legler method (lo not counterbalance one another, the tendency 

 being toward low results. A blank determination is necessary, and in the titration 

 an accurate end-point is very important. Any acid present must be accdiinted for. 



The oxalic acid in organisms, Cipollina {Berlin. Klin. Wclmschr., 38 {1901) , 

 p. 544; "'«■ '" Clit'in. Ztg., 25 (1901), No. 44, P- 169).- — A study of the oxalic acid in 

 animal and vcij;etal>le ])r()ducts, with some reference to its source. 



Improvement of Kiister's hydrogen sulphid apparatus, CI. Fkerichs {Arcli. 

 Phurm., 2S9 {1901), pp. 118-121; ahs. in Jour. Chcm. Sor. [London'], SO {1901), No. 468, 

 II,p. 811). — Kiister's apparatus (E. S. R., 5, p. 728) has the disadvantage that a good 

 deal of acid enters before the steady evolution of gas begins. The author obviates 

 this difficulty by placing a small vessel with a valve to admit air between the large 

 reservoir of atud and the bottle of sulphid. This small vessel is tilled from the reser- 

 voir and then connected with the sulphid bottle. 



Areometer for use with the Reichert-Meissl determination, INI. J. Vander- 

 PLANCKEN {liul. Asmc. Behjfi Chim., 15 {1901), No. 4-5, pp. 176, 177). — A description 

 of an instrument to be used in determining the Reichert-Meissl number is given and 

 its advantages are set forth. 



A modification of the Landsberger apparatus for determining the boiling 

 point, C. N. Ruber {Ber. Dent. Chcm. (icsell., 34 {1901), p. 1060; <tht<. in Cheni. Ztg., 

 25 {1901), No. 46, p. 174, Jig. !)■ 



Tables for calculating in quantitative chemical analysis, founded on the 

 basis of the atomic weights as recommended by Landolt, Ostwald, and 

 Seubert, A. Sartori (Zt.^rhr. Analijt. Vlievi., 40 {1901), No. 4-5, pp. 202-376).— Tah\es 

 of all the elements are given, together with nmltiples of the same up to 9, and the 

 logarithm. 



The improvement of instruction in technical chemistry, A.Lachmann {Jour. 

 Sac. Chew. Ind., 20 {1901), No. 6, pj). 546-551). — A popular article on chemical 

 education. 



BOTANY. 



On the origin of new species of plants, H. De Vries {Proc. Sec. Sri. Koninkl. 

 Akad. Wetensrh. Aniatcrdain, 1901, III, pp. 245-247). — A brief account is given of 15 

 years' experiments with (Enothera lamarckiana, in which the author has established 

 new types which are considered of sufficient stability to warrant description as new 

 species. The author believes that plants undergo long periods of constancy alter- 

 nately with periods in which new species may be produced. He believes that each 

 species has originated from another at such a time. For this it is held that it is not 

 necessary that the mother species be changed in any way, but that it may continue 

 with all its former characteristics unchanged. His observations have been made 

 from plants growing in natural conditions as well as seed collected and sown in gar- 

 dens. After an extended research, one species was found which was in what he 

 terms a mutation period. The results of observations on many thousands of seed- 

 lings are given, and the author has separated forms which have been constant from 

 their first occurrence after several generations of cultivation. At present he has orig- 

 inated from the original wild species 12 distinct forms which come true to seed. The 

 conclusion is drawn that new species originate suddenly without intermediate forms 

 or any other preparation. From the beginning they remain unchanged during the 

 subsequent generations. No reversion, or atavism, \vasol)served in any of these cases. 

 Mutation seems to take place in various directions, and not in any predetermined man- 

 ner. In many instances the new species are weakened but sometimes appear more 

 adapted to their surroundings than the (iriginai. 



The plants of western Lake Erie, with observations on their distribution, 

 A. J. PiETERs ( (I S. Fi.fh Com. Bnl. 1901, pp. 57-79, pis. 10). — This is a contribution to 

 the biology of the Great Lakes, made with a view of studying the possibilities of 



