AGRICULTURAL BOTA1T5 . 



possible thai the application of heal in these experiments may to some exten! have 

 permanent 1 j interrupted the water Buppl) bj breaking the water columns, on the 

 continuity of which the water supply of the aerial portions depends. 



On the movements of petals, Esther P. Hensel i Univ. [ Nebr.] Stud 

 No. 8, />/>. S8).—A reporl is given of an investigation of the physical causes which 

 bring about the opening and closing movements of certain flowers. In this investi- 

 gation ex peri incuts were carried on with the dandelion, four o'clock, morning glory, 

 evening star, evening primrose, and flax, and observations made upon a large num- 

 ber of other flowering plant-. 



It isshownthal the opening of the dandelion flowers can be controlled i>> keep- 

 ing the flowers at a lower temperature than normal, and when the opening has been 

 retarded they can be caused to open by the application of either dr) or moisl heat 

 It was found possible to close any ephemeral flower before its time by an extra 

 amount of heat, either moisl or dry. It is impossible to open an ephemeral flower 

 by placing the plant in a lower temperature, since this checks growth, and opening 



with this type is a matter of grow th rather than one of stimulus. 



In the study of the different plants, light, humidity, and water contenl of I 

 were eliminated as possible physical factors, and it was found that heat, b) it- vari- 

 ations during 24 hours, is the direct cause of movement in those types of Mowers thai 

 bloom for more than one day. The closing of ephemeral flowers can be delayed 

 several hours by a temperature which is constantly lower than normal. The cause 

 of the periodic movements of flowers lasting more than a single day is attributed to 

 the influence of variations of temperature, acting not through turgescence, bul by 

 stimulation of the protoplasm. 



A preliminary report on the Hymeniales of Connecticut, E. A. Winn- 

 i Conn. State Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey Bul. 8, pp. 81, pis. £0).— The author gives a 

 list, together with descriptive and critical notes, of the fleshy and woody fungi known 

 to occur within the State of Connecticut. The aim has been to compile as far as 

 possible a complete and accurate list of native species rather than to prepare original 

 keys, technical descriptions of species, etc. 



Notes on amanitas, W. A. Kellerman (Mycol. /»'"/., S (19t ,'/. /</'. 



161-164, figs. 8; /.'./>/>. 165-168, figs. 8). — Illustrated notes, technical descriptions, 

 ami general accounts are given of ;i mini her of species of Amanita, of which .1. t\ rna 

 and .1. soliiaria arc figured ami described. Both of these species are said t<> be highly 

 poisonous. 



A yellow race of Bacillus pseudarabinus from the quince, R. <i. Smith 

 ( Proc. Linn. Soc. A'. S. Wales, .".> I 1904), />t. U pp. 860-862). — While makings study 

 of the bacterial flora of some branches of quince a number of species were colic, ted. 

 one of which appeared in great abundance and was made the subjeel of considerable 

 investigation 



The general morphology of the organism seemed to indicate that it was closely 

 related to Bacillus pseudarabinus, except that the bacterium from the sugar cane was 

 always white while that from the quince was yellow, varying from a pale buff on 

 gelatin to a deep yellow on potato. Further Btudy convinced the author thai there 



are no specific difference- in the organisms but that they are white and yellow races 

 of the same specie-. 



The bacterial origin of Macrozamia gum, R. <.. Smith Proc. Linn. Sot: V S*. 

 fVales, 99 {1904), pt. 4, pp. 868-868). — In continuation of his investigations on the 

 bacteria] origin of certain gums, the author reports the isolation from Macrozamia 

 spiralis of a species of bacillus to which the name /»'. macrozamia is given. The 

 morphology of the organism and the characteristics of the gum it form- are described. 



