1894- NOTES AND COMMENTS. 335 



the author observed, was the rule, there being some probabiHty of two 

 branches reaching different oospheres. The author was unable to 

 demonstrate a perforation of the pollen-tube, as Karsten has recently 

 done, in the genus Gnetum, though the apex was often seen to be 

 provided with a deep pit. 



Mr. Farmer contributes the only indigenous paper — some studies 

 on Liverworts, in which the histology of the nucleus is discussed in 

 some detail. The last communication, by Mr. G. T. Peirce, is dated 

 from Leipzig, and is a somewhat exhaustive account of the mode of 

 twining of the dodder, including its response to geotropism and other 

 external stimuli, and the mode of growth and penetration of the 

 suckers into the tissue of the host-plant ; in the last process chemical 

 activity is found to take part. 



Antarctic Explorations. 



On p. 234 of our March number, we called attention to the efforts 

 of the Scottish Geographical Society to awaken interest in Antarctic 

 problems. We have now to record a paper by Dr. John Murray in 

 the Scottish Geographical Magazine for April, entitled " Notes on an 

 Important Geographical Discovery in the Antarctic Regions." The 

 Norwegian schooner " Jason," Captain Larsen, while looking for 

 seals, in November last year, found a comparatively open sea to the 

 south of Louis Philippe Land and Joinville Island, and proceeded 

 down along the margin of Antarctica to 68° 10' S. latitude. This is 

 over three degrees further than Ross's 1843 limit, and deserves the 

 importance assigned to it by Dr. Murray. Some new islands were 

 discovered by Captain Larsen at a point near 65° 7' S. and 58° 22' W., 

 two of which were active volcanoes ; and to these were given the 

 names of " Sarsoe " and "Jason." The latitude reached by this 

 sealing schooner was not so far south as that reached by Weddel in 

 1823, for he penetrated past the 74th meridian ; but its interest lies in 

 the fact that, in this last exploration, the margin of the land was 

 followed the whole way, and thus nearly 300 miles of the southerly 

 extension of Antarctica have become known to us. 



In giving publicity to this interesting record, Dr. Murray points 

 out what additions can be made to our geographical knowledge by a 

 small sealing schooner, and urges the importance of a British expedi- 

 tion, properly equipped, and provided with steam-power, to investi- 

 gate the geographical and natural history problems awaiting solution. 

 We are glad to read that Captain Larsen left the Falkland Islands 

 on the 17th January for another trip to the south, and we trust that 

 this hardy seaman will have further discoveries to announce on his 

 return home. 



Johns Hopkins' University. 

 As we dealt largely in the April number with various English 

 institutions, it is interesting to compare with them an institution in 



