METEOROLOGY CLIMATOLOGY. 341 



paper giving the results of experiments on white hipine, Codiimm regalh, and I'oin- 

 setlia sp. the author foncliKie.s that the functional activities of the i)iant cause differ- 

 ences of electrical potential in its various parts, and the intensity of these differences 

 depend, in part at least, on the piiysiological condition of the jilant. 



Recent investigations in plant hybridization, C. Correns [Bot. Zty., 2. Abt., 

 61 {1903), No. 8, pp. 114-126; abs. in Bot. Centbl, 92 {1903), No. 21, pp. 418-488).— 

 The author gives a critical review of the more important contributions to the subject 

 of plant breeding which were published during the autumn of 1901 and the spring of 

 1902. 



Observations on the temperature of the subterranean organs of plants, H. 

 H. Dixox {Trans. Roy. Irish Acad., 32 {1903), pt. 3, Sec. B, pp. 145-170, ph. 3).— 

 According to the author, while the temperature of the above-ground part of the plant 

 has l)een a subject of considerable investigation, but little attention has been given 

 to the underground portions. He reports experiments in which the temperature of 

 hyacinth bulbs, tubers of anemone and peony, roots of Ficiis carica and Vitis vinifera, 

 etc., were examined. 



He found that subterranean organs, like the aerial parts of plants, may have dur- 

 ing active growth a higher temperature than their surroundings. After the period 

 of active growth has passed this elevation of temperature is no longer noticeable. 

 There does not appear to be any true diurnal periodic rise in the temperature of sub- 

 terranean organs such as has been reported by many investigators for aerial organs, 

 and whatever rise does take place is due to the increased respiratory activitj' of the 

 plant. In the less massive subterranean organs, such as fibrous roots, the variation 

 in temiierature is not sufficient to make itself appreciable above the fluctuations of 

 the surrounding medium. 



The author discusses the errors affecting the thermoelectric method of determining 

 plant temperatures and gives some suggestions for reducing them to a jninimum. 



A comparison of the vegetation of the Landes and that of Fontainebleau, 

 G. BoNxiKR {Bid. Sac. Bot. France, 50 {1903), No. 2, p)p. 174-176). — A comparison is 

 made between the character of plants of the same species grown in the Landes dis- 

 trict of France and in the vicinity of Fontainebleau. The soil of the Landes is very 

 sandy, underlaid at no great depth with a moist subsoil, while at Fontainebleau the 

 sandy soil is of great depth. The plants of the 2 regions show marked differences in 

 their general aspect, in their structure, and in their physiological functions. One 

 striking difference was the entire absence of nectar and consequent insect visitation 

 of plants at Fontainebleau that produced abundant nectar in the Landes. 



Ferns, C. E. Waters {New York: Henry Holt d- Co., 1903, pp. NII+362,figs. 228).— 

 A manual for the northeastern States, with analytical keys based on the stalks and on 

 the fructification. The book is popular but thoroughly scientific, and describes and 

 illustrates all the ferns known to occur in the range of Gray's Manual of Botany. Keys 

 are furnished for the identification of all the species, and aitled by the excellent 

 illustrations it is possible for even an amateur to recognize any species met with. 

 Many of the illustrations are from photographs made especially for this work and 

 are not excelled by any similar publication. A chapter is devoted to the subject of 

 fern photography, which with slight modification would doubtless be adapted to use 

 in photographing other groups of plants. This work will be found to be one of the 

 leading popular books on the ferns of the region included. 



METEOROLOGY CLIMATOLOGY. 



Methods of meteorological investigation, W. N. Sh.\w {Science, n. ser., 18 

 {1903) , No. 459, pp. 487-497) . — This is an address before the subsection of astronomy 

 and meteorology of the British Association for the Advancement of Science at its 

 Southport meeting. It is a jjlea for closer cooperation between the universities and 

 state weather services in order to build \\\i a more thorough and effective sytem of 



