BOTANY. 917 



A nitrog-en apparatus, J. A. "Wesenkk {Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, 24 {1902), No. 4, 

 pp. oSS-.i'.to. i>l. 1, ji(j. 1) . — The alkaline mixture is distilled in a current of steam, the 

 niethdil l)eing considered as aci-urate ami far more rapid than the ordinary method. 



A digestion stand for nitrogen determination, R. AVoy {Clii'in. Zlij., 26 {1902), 

 Xii. 3, pp. 28, 29, fig. 1). — A rack for holding Kjeldahl digestion flasks is described. 



New apparatus, C. B. AVilli.\.ms {Jour. Amer. Chem. Sac, 24 {1902), No. 3, pp. 

 246-248, fig-'^. 2). — A device for marking volumetric fiasks and a modified bulb tube 

 for nitrogen apparatus are described. 



New laboratory apparatus, F. Jaxda {Chem. Ztg., 26 {1902), No. 3, p. 28, figs. 

 2). — A quick-filter funnel and a calcium chlorid desiccator for use in balance cases 

 are described. 



BOTANY. 



Investigation of flower buds, E. S. Goff ( Wisconsin Sta. Rpl. 1901, pp. 304- 

 316, figs. 15). — In continuation of previous investigations on the date of flower form- 

 ation in fruit plants (E. 8. R., 13, p. 18), the author has reported on the time of 

 formation of flowers in the currant, gooseberry, and cranberry; the variation in the 

 period of flower formation between different varieties of apples growing in the same 

 orchard; the influence of irrigation on the formation of flower buds; and the extent 

 to which, flowers are formed the season before their expansion, in those plants in 

 which no flower buds can be distinguished in autumn. The buds of the Pomona 

 currant showed an early stage of flower formation July 8, those of the black Victoria 

 currant on .lugust 3, and those of the Downing gooseberry August 30. Buds of the 

 latter taken October 20 showed ovules. This is one of the few instances that have 

 been observed where ovules have been formed in autumn. The buds of the cran- 

 berry taken August 31 showed no positive evidence of flowers, while samples taken 

 September 16 showed flowers well started. 



Considerable differences were observed in the formation of the flower buds in dif- 

 ferent varieties of apples, the buds being formed between August 1 and September 

 3. After abundant autumn rains which began about September 10, there appeared 

 to be no further formation of flowers. 



The application of 2 bbls. of water per week about an apple tree during a severe 

 drought apparently had no effect in causing the earlier production of flowers, nor 

 did it appear to change the percentage of the buds on the fruit spurs from which the 

 flowers were developed. It did, however, appear to reduce the size of the flower 

 buds, and also the total number. 



There seems to be evidence to show that in such plants as the quince, I'aspberry, 

 blackberry, and grape, in which no flower buds can be distinguished in autumn, 

 these i)lants unquestionably form their flower buds during that season. 



Biological investigations on the ripening of the wood of the grape, F. Ko- 

 VE.SSI {Rev. Hen. Bot., IS {1901), Nos. 149, pp. 193-211; 150, pp. 251-264; 151, pp. 

 307-325, pis. 7, figs. 2, dgms. 8). — The author has made a study of the anatomical 

 differences which characterize well-ripened shoots of the grape, and the influence of 

 various external characters, such as humidity, temperature, light, climate, diseases, 

 etc., on the ripening of the shoots. The phenomena of ripening, from an anatomical 

 point of view, consist of a differentiation of the tissues of the plant, producing cork, 

 browning of the bark, development of annual rings, thickening of cell walls, and the 

 formation of starch. The degree of ripening may be measured by the extent of the 

 preceding phenomena. A well-ri})ene(l shoot always has the annual wood well 

 developed, the pith is reduced, starch grains are abundant and of large size, and the 

 cell walls are well thickened. In comparison to volume, well-ripened shoots contain 

 more dry matter than those poorly ripened. The presence of a large amount of 

 water in the tissues explains why poorly ripened branches are easily injured by 



