METEOROLOGY. 617 



These dififerences are considered due to tlie difference in luimidity of 

 tlie atniospliere and the amount of light found in the respective regions. 



The origin of our vernal flora, J. W. Harsh heugeu (Science, 1 {1895), Xo. 4, n. 

 ser., pp. D'.'-C'S). — The author traces the geological origin of uiauy of our spring flow- 

 ering plants. 



A classification of Nicotiauae, O. Comes (Novce systemationis generis Nicotianw, 

 Hortus Botanicus Forticensis, 1S94; hriefly reviewed in Agricol. e Ind. Agr., 17 {1S94), 

 No. 33, p. 366). 



Revision of the North American species of the genus Cracca, A. M. Vail 

 (Torrey Bui., 23 {1895), No. 1, p}). 25-36). — A revision of the genus Tephrosia, with 

 descriptions of new species and varieties. 



The genus Ravenelia, P. Dietel {Redwigia, 33 {1894), No. 6, pp. 367-371).— ^oUs 

 on distribution and descriptions of new species. 



The inflorescence in descriptive botany, F. Hy {Picv. gen. Bat., 6 {1894), No. 70, 

 pp. 385-408, Jigs. 15). — Tlie antlior makes a plea for a more defiuite and simple nomen- 

 clature in descripti\'e botany relating to inilorescence. 



Injurious effect of nitric acid on plants, Konig and Haselhofe {Landw. Jahrb., 

 22 {1894), No. n, pp. 1031-1034). 



Contribution to the knowledge of the assimilation by leaves, R. Meissner 

 {Inaug. Dissertation, Bonn, 1894, pp. 48; abs. in Bot. Centhl., 60 {1894), No. 7, pp. 

 206, 207). 



Stem grafting, L. de Roussen {Jonr. Agr. Prat., 58 {1894), No. 32, pp. 205,206).— 

 Theory in regard to the movements of the sap. 



On a detailed botanical chart of France, C. Flahault {Compt. Bend., 119 {1894), 

 No. 26, pp. 1236-1239). 



Contributions to the Queensland flora, F. M. Bailey {Queensland Dept. Agr. Bui. 

 9, J}. 19). — A list of additions to the previous contributions, together with descrip- 

 tions of 6 new species and varieties. 



METEOROLOGY. 



An essay on southerly bursters, H. A. Hunt {Jonr. Tiny. Soc. N'. 

 S. Wales, 28 {1894), pp. 48, ph. 4). — These bursters prevail mostly from 

 October to February, or during the summer. The greatest velocity of 

 the wind was 153 miles per hour, and the average of the greatest 

 velocities in 991 cases from 18G3 to 1894, was 42.7 miles per hour. 

 The lower strata of cloud qiove with the wind, while the upper 

 strata are always from the west. They are invariably attended by strong 

 electric action, a stream of sparks being sometimes i)roduced for an 

 hour at an electrometer. The advance of the true burster is indicated 

 by a peculiar cloud or roll not dissimilar to that in the "i)ampero" of 

 South America. Clouds of dust, which penetrate everywhere, announce 

 the arrival of tlie wind; sand flies by overhead at less than 2,000 ft., 

 and with great rapidity. Eain may follow. There seems to have been a 

 rather marked diminution in the wind velocity in these bursters within 

 10 or 15 years. A burster is caused probably by a wind blowing from 

 a high area over the ocean to the southwest of Australia into a hot 

 dry condition of the atmosphere in the interior. It seems to be a sort 

 of combination of a cold wind from the high area with an electric 

 disturbance on the land. It has been compared with the norther of 



