13G BOOK-XOTES, XEWS, ETC. 



the latter. A generation of the fungus may be obtained in three 

 days, and the two strains tested over very many generations under 

 the most diverse conditions have proved absolutely constant. As the 

 colourless form arose in a " single-spore " culture, it cannot represent 

 ^ strain selected out from an original population ; and as Botrytis 

 cinerea is asexual, the possibility of the new form being a segregant 

 from a heterozygous parent is eliminated. Furthermore, the occur- 

 rence of colourless sclerotia in this fungus is unknown heretofore 

 either in Nature or when the fungus is grown on culture media. 

 There would, therefore, seem no reason to doubt that the colour- 

 less form described is an instance of true mutation in Botrytis 

 cinerea. 



At the same meeting, a paper on "Variation in Flowers of 

 Jasminuni malaharicuni Wight," by Dr. H. H. Mann, F.L.S., was 

 explained by Dr. Kendle. He pointed out that in the forests of 

 the Western Ghats of Bombay, during the month of April, the 

 jungle is covered with Howers of this fragrant and attractive climber. 

 Between April 13th and 20th, 1916, the author had examined 2789 

 flowers for the corolla, and found from 5 lobes in 0"33 per cent, to a 

 maximum of 8 lobes in 40 per cent., declining to a percentage of 

 O'O-l for those with 12 lobes. Similarly, the teeth of the calyx were 

 examined in 3560 flowers at the same time, and showed with 4 teeth, 

 2"56 per cent., with 5 and 6 lobes the maximum with respective per- 

 centages of 46*26 and 47'81, the last being of 8 teeth with 0*22 per 

 cent. He failed to associate any peculiarity with the position of the 

 flowers on the stem or in the inflorescence. 



A GOOD example of manufactured " flower lore " is supplied by 

 the following paragraph published by the Manchester Guardian. 

 So far as we are aware, its only foundation in popular legend is the 

 name " Calvary Clover," which is bestowed upon the Spotted Medick 

 in common with other plants with spotted leaves from a tradition 

 that they grew beneath the Cross. The botanical information con- 

 veyed in the paragraph is as remarkable as the symbolical : — 



" Some curious flower lore is associated with the spotted medick 

 (^Medicago maculata). The seeds of the plant are very well protected, 

 enclosed as they are in a prickly ball, and some perseverance is needed 

 to unroll them from this rough covering. The first shoots should appear 

 on Low Sunday, if the seed has been sown on Good Friday — a day with 

 which the plant is connected, as it is known in some places under the 

 name of Calvary clover. The first two leaves which appear resemble 

 those of a sunflower, and symbolise the Incarnation — The Godhood 

 (s/c) and manhood of Christ. At sunset the two outer leaves come 

 together, and the centre one droops over them, suggesting a prayerful 

 attitude of bowed head and folded hands. The leaflets are charac- 

 terised by a heart-shaped purple spot, rather like a drop of freshly 

 spilt blood, which fades as the leaves grow older. The prickly pod 

 encasing the seed may be twisted into a crown of thorns if care be 

 taken. When the fibre is uncovered the form of a scourge is said 

 to be found beneath it. Eleven, the number of the faithful Apostles, 

 is the number of seeds which a perfect pod should contain." 



