BOTANY. 1 95 



Crystals of ice on plants, J. C. Bay {Bot. Gaz., 19 {1894), JS'o. 8, i)p. 

 321-o2(i). — The autlior gives a bibliography of literature, a list of i)larits 

 on wliicli crystals have been observed, forms of crystals, formation of 

 crystals, and conditions for the formation of crystals. The cold causes 

 a contraction of the tis;sues all over the plant, and consciiuently the 

 turgesceuce, as well as the permeability of the cell walls to water, is 

 greatly diminished. As the ccmtents of the peripheral ends of the 

 medullary rays freeze, expand, and are pressed forward the stem 

 splits in the place of least resistance, and the ice forms a layer cover- 

 ing the whole surface of the wound. The ijressure from inside fur- 

 nishes water, the latter being drawn up by capillary force. Where no 

 splitting results, the difference in the coefficient of contraction, being 

 different for the different tissues, will explain the formation of the 

 crystals. 



Concerning generic descriptions, D. Clos {Bui. Soc. Bot. France, 41 {lS94),No.5, 

 pp. 390-400). — A criticism ou the iusufficicucy of generic descriptious in defiuiuo- and 

 limiting genera. 



Monograph of Oscillatoriae, M. Gomont {Paris: G. Masso)i, 1S93, Svo., pp. 310, 

 jj/.v. Ill; uhs. in Bnl. Soc. Bot. France, 41 {1804), No. ■',, pp. 40S-411). 



Concerning the structure and systematic relationship of Ditiola radicata, 

 G. LiNDAU {Hedwiyia, 33 {1S94), No. 4, pp. 234-240, pi. i).— Description, life history, 

 and botanical position of Ditiola radicata. 



Contributions to the embryology of the Amentiferae, I, M. Bensox {Trans. 

 Linn. Soc, I'd .scr., Bot., vol. 3, pt. 10, pp. 409-4 ?9, j;?.s-. (!). — Studies in the embryology 

 of the Ciipniiftro', Coriilco, Betiilineo', Salicineo', and Jiiglandacea',. 



Hermaphroditism in the plant world, A. Chatix {Bnl. Soc. Bot. France, 41 {1894), 

 No. '), pp. 380-390). 



Observations on the presence of tendrils or tendril-like organs in certain 

 fungi, E. BouDiEK {Bnl. Soc. Bot. France, 41 {1894), No. 5, pp. 371-375, fig. 7).— The 

 occurrence of simple tendril-like organs, probably trichoraes, in several species of 

 fungi is mentioned, figured, and described. 



On the activity of assimilation by leaves, E. Meissner {Inaug. Dissertation, 

 Bonn; ahs. in Bot. Ztg., 53 {1894), No. 16, pt. 2, pp. 250, 251). 



The measure of water absorption by roots, H. Lecomte {Compt. Bend., 119 

 {1894), No. 2, pp. 181, 182). — A tree trunk {Musanga smithii ) of about 40 mm. in diam- 

 eter absorbed water tlirough its roots at the rate of 0.360 to 0.711 liters per hour. 



Concerning the disposition of tannic acid in plant metabolism {Program. 

 Eeahchule, Holstcnthore, Hamburg, 1893, pp. 38; ahs. in Bot. Centbl., 59 {1894), No. 9 

 and 10, pp. 280, 281). 



Concerning the fate of chlorophyll grains in seeds and sprouts, A. Famitzin 

 {Arheit. bot. Lab. Akad. St. Petersburg, 1893, No. 5, pp. IG; abs. in Bot. Centbl., 58 {1894), 

 No. 11, pp. 378, 379). 



The carbohydrates of mushrooms, E. P.ourquelot {Bnl. Soc. Mycol. France, 10 

 {1894), No. 3, pp. 133-140). 



The composition of cell membranes of certain fungi, especially Polyporus, L. 

 Maxgix {Bnl. Soc. Bot. France, 41 {1894), No. 5, pp. 375-384).— 'Vh.& author objects to 

 the use of fungus cellulose as a term describing the constitution of the cell walls of 

 fungi, as it is not.sufficiently comprehensive in many cases. 



The nitrogen in poppy capsules, G. Clautriau {Bnl, Soc. Micr. Beige, 18 {1894); 

 abs. in Bot. Ztg., 52 {1894), No. IG, pt. 2, pp. 249, 250). 



Localization and signification of the alkaloids of certain seeds, G. Clautriau 

 {Bui. Soc. Micr. Beige, IS {1894); abs. in Bot. Ztg., 52 {1894), No. 16, pt. 2, pp. 252, 253). 



