BOTANY. 109 



An apparatus for washing and absorbing gas, A. Gautier {Bnl. Sar. Chim. 

 Paris, 3. ser., 23 {1900), No. 5, pp. 14I-IU, fiu- -?)• 



A simple gas generator, C. E. Wait ( Univ. Tennessee Record, 1899, No. 11, pp. 

 259, 260, fig. 1). — A simjjle, cheaii, and effective apparatus is briefly described and 

 illustrated. 



A rubber mortar-cap for pulverizing -with, exclusion of air, R. Scholl ( Chem. 

 Ztg., 24 {1900), No. 3, p. 15, fig. 1). — A flexible rubber sheet which fits securely over 

 the to}) of the mortar, with a hole in the center for the pestle. — .i. t. axdersox. 



A universal pipe-stem triangle, L. Martius {Chem. Ztg., 24 {1900), No. 3, p. 

 15, fig. 1). — Two of the sides of the triangle are fixed in the usual way, while the 

 third arm is hinged at one point with the other end free, thus allowing the size of 

 the triangle to be shifted at pleasure. A notched wire, running parallel to one of the 

 sides of the triangle, holds the free end of the movable side securely in any desired 



position. .T. T. ANDERSON". 



New triangles for crucibles and dishes, A. Hebebraxd {Chem. Ztg., 24 {1900), 

 No. 5, p. 37, figs. 2). — The crucible or dish is supported on three platinum pegs 

 screwed into the side of an iron triangle vertically to these sides, and at angles of 

 45° to their plane. — .t. t. anderson. 



BOTANY. 



On biastrepsis in its relation to cultivation, H. de Vries {Ann. 

 Hot.., 13 [1890), JVo. itl., p}>. 395-1^:20). — -The author designates under 

 the term biastrepsis the twisting of the stem which sometimes occurs 

 in plants, the normal shoots of which have opposite or whorled leaves. 

 By this twisting the ph3ilotaxis becomes spiral instead of verticillate, 

 and the successive leaves of the spiral are connected hy their bases. 



A large number of experiments with Dipsacim sylvestris torsus are 

 reported, from which it is concluded that under proper cultivation the 

 seeds of this plant will 3'ield about one-third twisted stems. This 

 proportion was first attained in the fourth generation, and since then 

 the proportion has increased. 



The phenomena of biastrepsis depend not only upon the hereditary 

 properties of the seed, but also upon the external conditions under 

 which the individual develops. The more favorable the conditions of 

 life the richer is the progeny obtained from any given seed in indi- 

 viduals with twisted stems, and the more marked is the twisting in 

 individuals. The importance of plenty of space, time of sowing, and 

 character of soil are pointed out. 



From these experiments the general statement is made that with a 

 given hereditar}' tendency, an}- monstrosit}" becomes more marked the 

 more favorable the conditions of life, and, therefore, the more vigorous 

 the growth. This is true not only of DipmciM sylvestris^ but is estab- 

 lished for most various plants and different monstrosities by observa- 

 tions made by the author during the past 10 years. 



The influence of carbon dioxid on the form and structure of 

 plants, E. C. Teodoresco {Eev. Gen. Bof., 11 {1899), ^^o. 132, 2>p. 

 If-I^D-I^jO, pi. l^Jigs. 18). — ^A report is given of a series of experiments 

 in which a number of plants were grown with and without carbon 



