62 THE JOURNAL OF BOTANT 



Hybrids between these races show a varying number of gemini, not 

 always constant for the same type. From the fact that other 

 presumably older races as Chinese Maize, Pod-Maize, and EuchlcBna 

 mexicana all show 10 gemini, it is concluded that 10 is the original 

 number (as also in Androfogon Sorghum), and variations are due to 

 mutations and j^ossibly hybridization with some hypothetical form 

 of Andropogon, as suggested on slender evidence by Collins (1912). 

 Evidence In support of this view is obtained by measurement of the 

 chromosomes, as long and short ; the longer ones being referred to 

 IHuclilwna, the shorter to Andropogon. Subdivision of either 1 or 2 

 special chromosomes of the Euchlcena-type is supjDOsed to be responsible 

 for the additional units, with variants dominant in the hybrid forms. 

 Considerable space is devoted to working out schemes for suggested 

 unions to account for the peculiarities of the hybrids of the above- 

 mentioned varieties. In view of the interest attaching to the 

 evolution of strains of Zea Mags in America, and recent condition 

 of affairs, it is a matter of regret that the paper should have been 

 written in German. 



Mr. Oliver Atkins Farwell sends us from time to time 

 extracts from various American sources, often pharmaceutical, the 

 chief object of which appears to be the formation of new com- 

 binations. We have more than once protested against this perverted 

 form of industry, which can only result in the addition of new and 

 still-born names to our already overburdened nomenclature. To take 

 two examples: Mr. Farwell (in Druggists'' Circular, N. York, Ixiii. 

 50) says that *'the correct name" of the plant universall}'- known as 

 Fremna taitensis Schauer is "P. arhorea (Forst. f.) N. Comb." 

 (the capitals, always employed, are of the original note). Geoi'ge 

 Forster's name — Scropliularioides arhorea — is a nomen nudum and 

 has never been quoted except in synonymy, so Mr. FarwelFs " correct 

 name " has not the slightest claim to recognition. 



On the preceding page Mr. Farwell projwses to restore Bruce's 

 Gusso for Hagenia ahgssinica {■=Bragera anflielmintica) : had he 

 referred to Bruce's book instead of taking the reference from tlie 

 Kew Index — the facile source of many literary rather than botanical 

 combinations — he would have seen that, far from intending Cusso 

 to be regarded as generic, Bruce actually bestowed a Latin name on 

 the plant — the j^late is lettered " Cusso or Banksia Ahgssinica,'" 

 and the latter name appears also in the text (p. 78), although neither 

 Ind. Kew. nor Mr. Farwell quote this. In this case, however, 

 Mr. Farwell, had he carried his investigations a little farther, might 

 really have secured a " N. Comb." ; for ahgssinica is certainly the 

 oldest name for the species, and it is open to the next writer on 

 Bragera to restore it, though we have no intention of doing so. If 

 it were desirable to continue this criticism, Mr. Farwell supplies 

 abundant material; but enough has been said to show that his 

 "correct names" and " N. Comb." must not be accepted without 

 investigation. It may be noted that his adoption of Veronica persica 

 as the correct name for that species (Khodora, xxi. 101 : May, 1919) 

 was anticipated by Mr. Lacaita on firmer ground in this Journal for 

 Feb. 1918, p. 5-3. ' 



