216 SUMxMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



cone of E. hyemale tend, even when young, to be deflected slightly 

 downwards while passing outwards through the cortex. 8. In E. 

 hyemale the axis is narrower at the base than in the middle or slightly 

 above the middle of the cone ; but the internodal axial strands and 

 members in a whorl are markedly more numerous at the base of the cone. 

 Consequently the vascular bundles are much closer to one another in the 

 annular region than in the wider parts of the axis of the cone. This 

 probably partly accounts for the relatively high number of meshes 

 closed at or near the level of insertion of the annulus. Above the latter 

 numerous fresh meshes arise. 9. In E. giganteum the annulus is 

 normally sporangiferous, the sporangia being attached by their upper 

 ends to the free incurved edge of the annulus. A vascular strand runs 

 to the point of insertion of each sporangium. The number of the latter 

 bears no constant relation to that of the strands in the axis or the lobes 

 of the annulus. The annular bundles may remain free from or be 

 connected with the axial stele ; they may branch or remain unbranched. 

 10. E. giganteum differs from the other species studied in that no fresh 

 parenchymatous meshes arise above the annulus. The nodal nature of 

 the axis at the level of the insertion of the latter is, however, supported 

 by the analogy with other species, and by the closure of some parenchy- 

 matous meshes in this region. 11. The sporangiferous annulus is 

 regarded as derivative in the genus Equisetum, and the reasons for this 

 view are briefly examined. 12. In E. giganteum the uppermost vegeta- 

 tive node of the fertile branch shows no persistent diaphragm. A. G. 



Phylogenetic Considerations on the Internodal Vascular Strands 

 of Equisetum.— Isabel M. P. Browne {New Phytologist, 1920, 19, 

 11-25, 7 figs.). A discussion of the structure and nature of these 

 strands, the treatment of which is somewhat meagre in the text-books. 

 The question of which is the most primitive type of internodal bundle 

 in Equisetiim is considered, as also the direction of lignification of the 

 lateral groups of metaxylem. ' A. G. 



Studies in the New Zealand Species of the Genus Lycopodium : 

 Part I. — J. E. HOLLOWAY {Trans. Proc. New Zealand Inst., 1916, 

 48, 253-303, 2 pis. and figs.). A detailed account of the New Zealand 

 species, including the occurrence and habit of the mature plant, the 

 occurrence and structure of the prothallus, the nature of the dependence 

 of the young plant upon the prothallus, and the vascular anatomy of 

 both the "seedling" and the full-grown plant. The results are as 

 follows : — Prothalliof seven species are described and are grouped under 

 four types : (1) Phlegmaria (L. Billardieri) ; (2) Cermia (L. lateraJe, 

 L. ramulosum) ; (3) Clavata {L. voluhile, L.fastigiatiim) ; (4) Complanata 

 (L. scariosum) \ and it is presumed that L. densum will be added to 

 one or other of the latter two types. A large foot is characteristic of 

 the embryo in L. voluldle, L. densum^ L. fastigiatnm, L. scariosum, 

 while in case of L. latcrale and L. ramidosnm there is an exceptionally 

 large and long-lived protocorm. This latter is presumed to be merely a 

 physiological adaptation. As to the vascular cylinder a stellate or radial 

 configuration is characteristic in L. Selago, L. BiUardieri^ and L. varium ; 



