Journal of Applied Microscopy. 561 



CURRENT BOTANICAL LITERATURE. 



Charles J. Chamberlain. 



Books for review and separates of papers on botanical subjects should be sent to 



Charles J. Chamberlain, University of Chicago, 



Chicago, 111. 



REVIEWS. 



Lang, W. H. The Prothallus of Lycopodium So little is known about the prothallia 

 clavatum. Ann. Bot. 13: 279-317, pi. 16- oi Lycopodiiim \h?it the present paper, 

 ' ^^' although based upon only half a dozen 



specimens, constitutes a valuable contribution. The smallest prothallium was 

 4 mm. in length, by 3 mm. in breadth, and about 0.5 mm. thick. The color was 

 a dirty white. The largest prothallium was about twice as long, with other 

 dimensions in proportion. In general appearance these prothallia recall those 

 of Botrychium virginianiun as described by Jeffreys. A vertical section shows 

 on the under side of the prothallium a layer of colorless cells, above which are 

 several layers of cells infested by an endophytic fungus. The cells of the upper 

 half of the prothallium are smaller, and are entirely free "from the fungus. The 

 antheridium is developed from a single superficial cell, and in the mature condi- 

 tion does not project above the surface. The archegonium, which is also 

 developed from a single superficial cell, projects considerably above the surface. 

 There does not seem to be a basal cell. Within the archegonium are the 

 oosphere and six or eight canal cells, the lowest presumably the ventral canal 

 cell. 



The value of the prothallium as a taxonomic character is discussed at some 

 length, and the writer concludes that species of Lycopodium which possess 

 similar saprophytic prothallia should not, on that ground alone, be regarded as 

 closely related. The prothallium of Bot}ychiiim virgiuiannm, in form, texture, 

 endophytic fungus, position of sexual organs, and subterranean saprophytic 

 habit, resembles the prothallia of Lycopodium^ but the resemblance merely shows 

 how an appearance of genetic relationship may result from modifications due to 

 a similar subterranean saprophythic habit. c. j. c. 



Fischer, Dr. Alfred. Fiximng, Farbung, und This book brings together into conven- 



Bau des Protoplasmas. Kritische Unter- ient form an immense amount of 



suchungen iiber Technik und Theorie in der ^^ 1 1 • 1 • 1 ,- • 



neueren Zellforschung. Pp. X+362. One Scattered literature relatmg to the fixmg, 



colored plate and 21 text figures. Jena, staining, and Structure of protoplasm. 



Gustav Fischer. 11 Marks. t-. . t ^ ^^ •,.,-• 



Part 1, deahng with fixing agents, 



considers in detail the solutions in common use, and describes their action upon 

 the various cell contents as peptone, proalbumose, nucleic acid, nuclein, etc., etc. 

 The numerous experiments with substances of known chemical composition 

 should be of value in determining what are to be regarded as artefacts, and 

 what as structural elements of the tissues. The closing chapter on the fixation 

 of cell contents will be found especially helpful by those engaged in cyto- 

 logical work. 



Part II (128 pages) is devoted to staining. Both theory and practice are 



