436 Scientific Intelligence. 



tioTial proof of its cauline -nature. In fact, we know of no cliaracter iu 

 which a root differs from an internode of a stem in which it does not also 

 differ from theradiclcj excepting its tendency to direct its inferior extrt^m- 

 ity downwards. Again, should the statement, that 'Uhe radicle of a 

 monocotyledonous embryo is never developed" be held to mean that the 

 radicle never lengthens, we remark, no more does it in the pea and some 

 other hypogaeous Dicotyledons; and we are not quite sure that the state- 

 ment is absolutely true of all Monocotyledons. 



Root-hairs or fibrillce bx^ mentioned (p. 19) as "often" occurring on 

 young roots. Do they not always occur? Surely it cannot be true that: 

 "the branches of the axial root are originally growths from the apex of 

 the root thrown off to the side," (p. 538). By some slip of the pen, 

 Myrica Gale^ is adduced as an instance of whorled leaves (p. 45). 



On p, 49 the expression '^ over the petiole" instead of above or within 

 it, would lead to a misconception. 



Something more might be said about the tendrils of Cucurbitacese 

 (which besides are not always single) ; but are the students of King's 

 College really taught that, "tendrils of the vine are metamorphosed flow- 

 ering branches arialng in the axils of the leaves ?^^ (p. 62.) 



"In all seeds except in those of the few orders which present an incom- 

 plete or acotyledonous embryo" we do not find the young plant possessed 



* * of a plumule" (p. 66). Even some much developed embryos, such 

 as those of Maple and Mornimr Glory do not sliow the plumule until 

 after the full development of the cotyledons. It may be said, indeed, 

 that the plumule is in posse when not in esse^ but so it is no less in the 

 cases excepted from tlie statement. 



Very singular is the statement (on p. 68) that in England "the termi- 

 nal bud of the Lilac is generally killed by the frost in the winter;" since 

 in our much colder winter it is as completely hardy as the other buds 

 whenever it happens to be formed, and, like them, is well developed before 

 summer is over. As a general rule here, and we presume in England 

 also, no terminal winter bud appears during the growing season, and so 

 there is none to be killed by the frost of the following winter. 



The deeply alveolate receptacle of the Cotton-Thistle is figured (on p. 

 78) as an illustration of *d 2>aleac€ous receptacle. 



Truly terrninal flowers are said to be rare (p. 86) : we do not quite 

 understand this. 



The interesting questions relating to the phyllotaxy and symmetry of 

 the flower are clearly stated, but no new light is brought to bear upon 

 them,— nor all of the old. The oj)position of the stamens of RhamnaceaJ 

 to the petals is, as usual, attributed to the probable suppression o( an 

 outer stamineal circle, although there is nothing in the blossom (as there 

 is in Geraniacori% &c.) to base the supposition upon. And our author has 

 overlooked the most natural of explanations for this and strictly like cases, 

 the one moreover which tells directly against the doctrine of transverse 

 chorisis.— viz., that in these cases of anle-position there is a return to 

 normal phyllotaxy, i.e. to the superposition of the corresponding elements 

 of successive whorls, — a view first suggested, w^e believe, by Lestibudois. 



"Real cases of collateral multiplication may probably be explained by 

 comparison of a primary staminal leaf with an ordinary compound stem- 



