BOTAJSTY. 557 



The present status of knowledge concerning the root tubercles of legu- 

 minosae and their functions, K. Stormer {Nnturw. Ztfichr. Land- u. Forsliv., 1 

 {IHOJ), X<). 4, jip. 13:)-l.'fi), Jigs. 3). — A critical review is given of some recent publi- 

 cations regarding the nature and functions of root tubercles on leguminous plants. 



A contribution to the mycorrhiza problem, L. Hiltner {Xaturw. Ztschr. Land- 

 H. Forstir., 1 {1903), Nos. 1, pp. 9-25; 2, pp. 67-82, pi. 1, figs. 3).— A contribution is 

 given to the knowledge of the biology and physiology of endotrophic mycorrhiza, 

 such as are found on the roots of a number of forest trees and shrubs, as alders, 

 Eleagnus, Podocarpus, Myrica, various conifers, etc. The roots of these plants are 

 attacked by species of the fungus Frankia, which produce characteristic tubercles or 

 galls. Through these, the author argues, free atmospheric nitrogen is assimilated, as 

 is done in the case of leguminous plants infested with bacteria. The host plant 

 rest)rbs the rich nitrogenous material secreted l)y the bacteria in mycorrhiza and in 

 the organisms themselves. The same phenomena are believed to extend to other 

 plants, particularly to gingko and various conifers. The second part of the paper 

 discusses the nutrition of forest trees through mycorrhiza. 



A contribution to the mycorrhiza subject, F. W. Neger (Naturir. Ztschr. 

 Land- u. Forstu-., 1 [1903), No. 9, pp. 372-376, fig. 1). — This article gives an account 

 of experiments in the sterilization of soil by superheated steam, chloroform, and 

 ether, the effect of the treatment 1)eing studied on the growth of wheat and mustard. 



Mycorrhiza formations on pine trees and high moors, C. voxTubeuf {Nnturw. 

 Ztschr. Land- u. Furstw., 1 {1903), No. 7, pp. 284, 285, fig. i).— The author calls atten- 

 tion to the claim that mycorrhiza can not be produced in humus soils, and shows 

 figures of roots of Pinus sylvestris, in which an abundant production of miycorrhiza is 

 evident. 



Form of root tubercles on moor plants, C. von TrBEut" {Naturw. Ztschr. Land- 

 u. Forsta: 1 {1903), No. 6, pp. 237, 238, figs. 2). — A discussion is given of the forma- 

 tion of tubercles on the roots of a number of moor plants, the outgrowth being due 

 to mycorrhiza. 



A contribution to the knowledge of the purple melic-grass, C. von Tubeuf 

 {Naturic. Ztschr. Land- u. Forstv., 1 {1903), No. 6, pp. 238-246, figs. .?).— Studies are 

 reported on the purple melic-grass {Molinia coerulea) . This grass ia quite abundant 

 in certain parts of Europe, growing in sandy regions, and the author describes its 

 method of propagation, the occurrence and significance of mycorrhiza upon its roots, 

 and their possible influence on nitrogen assimilation. 



The form and structure of the mycodomatia of Myrica cerifera, J. W. 

 Harshberger (Prur. Acad. Nat. Set. Phihiddphia, 55 [1903), pt. 2, pp. 352-362, 

 pis. 2). — The occurrence of coralline tuberculous outgrowths on roots of Myrica 

 cerifera is noted, this host plant not having been previously included in a list of 

 the higher plants known to be infested by these outgrowths. 



The author reviews the synonomy of the fungi which cause these peculiar develop- 

 ments, and is led to believe that the species in this instance is Frankia bi-unchorstii: 

 A study has been made of the galls and the fungus producing them on the waxberry, 

 and it was found that the mycodomatia grew on the short adventitious roots put 

 out by the stems of waxberry bushes whenever they were covered by sand. On 

 some of the smaller roots the galls were comparatively simple, but later by the 

 increase in the number of the forked fiber-like swellings they became aggregated 

 into clumps the size of a walnut. 



A study was made oi the fimgus in order to determine its relative position, and 

 the writer V)elieves that the genus Frankia should be placed among the Oomycetes, 

 close to Pythium and Peronospora. 



