158 REVIEWS. 



which it would be nearly impossible to convey the grains of 

 pollen which were bodily found on the nucleus, with their 

 tubes there produced. So that, notwithstanding the carpel-like 

 form of the ovule, the impregnation is absolutely gymno- 

 spermous. As to embryo-formation also, " there is a general 

 agreement in many most essential particulars with Cyca- 

 daceoB and Coniferce" especially, and beyond what has 

 already been adverted to, in "the free enibryo-sac being 

 filled with endosperm-cells previous to fertilization, the nu- 

 merous secondary embryo-sacs, the position of the germinal 

 vesicle at the base of these sacs, and in the high development 

 of the long tortuous susj)ensor." There is an agreement with 

 Angiosperms, however, in several particulars, especially in 

 that of " the germinal vesicle giving rise to one embryo only." 

 And it is concluded that, in special reference to Sentalum 

 and Loranthus, " Welwitschia presents an embryogenic pro- 

 cess intermediate between that of Gymnosperms and An- 

 giosperms." 



And here we should not omit to mention that its wood 

 differs from that of all known Gymnosperms in wanting the 

 disc-bearing wood-cells ! 



It will be conceded that "Welwitschia is " the most won- 

 derful discovery, in a botanical point of view, that has been 

 brought to light during the present century." Also, that Dr. 

 Hooker has enjoyed (and improved) an opportunity une- 

 qualled by any botanist since that which placed the Rafflesia 

 in Mr. Brown's hands. 



DARWIN'S MOVEMENTS AND HABITS OF CLIMBING 



PLANTS. 



This is a long paper 1 read before the Linnaean Society 

 in February last. The investigations which it records were 

 made, we believe, during a period when the author's ordinary 



1 On the Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants. By Charles Darwin. 

 Journal Linnsean Society of London, ix. London, 18G7. (American Jour- 

 nal of Science and Arts, 2 ser., xl. 273 ; xli. 125.) 



