BOOK xotp:s, xews, etc. 295 



beo'Ins with an introduction in the form of a general chapter, dealing 

 with the various aspects and consequences, legal, pathological, and 

 otherwise of poisonous plants. The next six chapters deal Avith the 

 various plant families in order — fungi, it is suggested, must be 

 treated in a separate volume. Another chapter is devoted to the 

 effects of plants on milk. Finalh^ poisons are classified according to 

 their effects. To the general account of each poisonous plant is 

 added a chemical account, when possible, of the toxic principle, and 

 also the symptoms of the poisoning, where these are known. In 

 association with the author's previous manual in this series {Common 

 Weeds of the Farm and Garden), the present volume should be of 

 value, not only to the student of this branch of agricultural research — 

 an audience unhappily small — but to the intelligent practical cul- 

 tivator. 



H. F. W. 



BOOK-NOTES, NEWS, etc. 



Nathaxiel Ltox GrAiiD:jfER publishes a first instalment of New 

 Pacijic Coast JSLarine Alr/cB (University of California Publications, 

 Botany, vi. no. 14, pp. 377-416, 1917), which comprises descriptions 

 of two genera, eight species, and two forms, all new to science. Of 

 tlie three Chlorophj^cese treated, Arthrospira maxima is remarkable 

 for thriving in sea-water used for condensing steam in an electric 

 power-house and hence subjected several times daily to a rise and fall 

 of temperature, from 60° C. down to the temperature of the outside 

 reservoir. Chlorochytrium PorjohyrcB is an endophytic unicellular 

 green alga which occurs in myriads within the thick gelatinous walls 

 of Porpliijra ; its life-history and affinities are discussed at length. 

 Gayella constricta grows associated with Frasiola, but is distinctly 

 not a metamorphosed form of the latter, despite the views of some 

 authors. Of the brown alga^, Sargassiim dissectifolium is demon- 

 strated to be distinct from the Japanese S. inluliferum, to which it 

 had beeil referred. Cystoseira neglecta had previously been known 

 by floating fragments only, and has now been traced to Santa Cata- 

 lina Island. The limits and distinguishing characters of the genera 

 Cystoseira and Cystophyllum badly need to be critically revised. 

 The red algse are of much interest. JPetrocelis franciscana is the 

 most abundant rock-encrusting alga on the Californian coast, and had 

 been wrongly referred to P. Middendorjfii of the Ochotsk Sea. 

 Hildenhrandtia Occident alls is also an encimsting alga widely distri- 

 buted along the coast ; and the ample fruiting material that has been 

 collected permits it to be adequately described ; but there is still some 

 question w^hether it be generically distinct from Besa Setchell (1912). 

 Coriophyllum expansum is an encrusting alga of leathery texture, 

 forming a new genus placed provisionally in tlie Squamariace?e until 

 its sexual organs are discovered. Ciunagloia Andersonii has hitherto 

 been regarded as a species of Nemalion, but is now made the type of 

 a new genus owing to the method of origin and the structure of the 

 cystocarp. The paper is written w4th critical skill, and is a very 

 welcome addition to algological literature.. It is furnished with five 

 plates. — A. G. 



