BOTANY. 15 



pour Vexerncc 1902. Brmi^eJs: P. Weissenbruch, 1903, i->p. 60). — During the year 21,715 

 sam])le8 were analyzed at the 7 government lal)oratories in Belgium. These included 

 fertilizing materials, feeding stuffs, human foods, and miscellaneous materials. The 

 maximum, minimum, and average results are reported in tabular form and the work 

 at each lal)oratory is further discussed. 



BOTANY. 



Economic plants of Porto Rico, 0. F. Cook and G. N. Collins {Smithsn. Inst., 

 U. S. Kat. Mm., ConUibidions from ihe U. S. National Ilevhanum, vol. 8, No. 2, 

 pp. IIIA57-2G9, ph. 48, ficp. 2) . — A list is given of the economic plants of Porto 

 Rico, the arrangement being an alphabetical one and the scientific and the Si)anish 

 and Eiiglish popular names being given of the different plants, so. far as their identi- 

 fication was assured. The authors have compiled this information from a number of 

 sources, including their personal observations in 2 trips to Porto Rico and a study of 

 the available literature relating to the botany of the island. In many instances 

 descriptive notes are given and statements made regarding the economic value of the 

 different plants descril^ed. Suggestions are given of a number of species of economic 

 tropical plants which in the estimation of the authors would probably prove valuable 

 if introduced into the country. 



Studies of Mexican and Central American plants — No. 3, J. N. Rose 

 {Sin'dhsn. Ltd., U. S. Nat. Mus., Contrihatiuns from tlic U. S. National Herbarium, vol. 8, 

 No. 1, pp. XI-\-55, pis. 12, figs. 11). — Descriptions are given of a number of hitherto 

 undescribed species of plants collected by the author and others in various localities 

 in Mexico and Central America. Notes are given on a number of species which 

 appear to have economic value, and living specimens of some of the more interesting 

 forms are now under ol)servation in this Department. 



A study of certain Mexican and Guatemalan species of Polypodium, W. R. 

 Maxox {Sinltlisn. Inxt., U. S. Nat. J/«.s., (hntrilnUtoits from the T. S. Nat'ioiud. Herba- 

 rium, vol. 8, No. 3, jyp. V^27 1-278, j^ls. 2), — Critical notes and descrijitions of new 

 species are given of a number of ferns of the genus Polypiidium. 



Poison ivy, G. E. Stone {Massachusetls State Bd. Agr. Nature Leaflet 9, pp. 4, 

 figs. 3). — Popular descriptions are given of the poison ivy {Rhus toxicodendron) and 

 some of its related species, and remedies suggested for the poisoning produced by 

 these i)lants. For this jjiirpose repeated applications of an alcoholic solution of lead 

 acetate are recommended. The author has conducted some experiments on the 

 extermination of this pest and has found that arsenate of soda is quite efficient for 

 its destruction. 



Textile plants cultivated in Brazil and Argentina, C. D. Girola {BoI. Agr. y 

 Gaiiaderia, 2 {1902), No. 34, pp. 43). — Descriptions are given of the textile i)lants 

 which are native or introduced in Brazil and Argentina, and which are more or less 

 exploited for their fibers. The list of fiber plants includes flax, hemp, jute, ramie, 

 China grass, New Zealand hemp, Manila hemp, cotton, etc. 



The effect of climate on modifications of the anatomical structure of plants, 

 G. BoxxiKK (Compt. Rend: Acad. Set. Paris, 13.5 {1902), No. 20, pp. 1 285-1 2S9).— In 

 continuation of the experiments conducted by the author on the effect of climate in 

 modifying the structure of various plants, a report is given showing the modified 

 structure of plants grown in the vicinity of the Mediterranean and at tiie lal)oratory 

 of Fontainebleau, France. The plants were selected in the Mediterranean region 

 and one lot planted in pots in that region, the second lot together with soil trans- 

 ferred to the lal)oratory at Fontainebleau and there grown in the open air. The 

 only difference in conditions are those attributed to the difference in atmospheric 

 phenomena. The climate of the 2 regions is compared, by which it is shown that the 

 growing season of the Me<literranean is 200 days, as compared to 178 days at the 

 other station. The temperature of the 2 regions is compared, from which it is seen 



