216 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [MARCH 
and another on the maria reserves (1899); and N. Enscu’s researches on 
glycogen in Myxomycetes (1899). 
Volume 6 likewise ee chiefly of reprints, opening with Massart’s 
memoir on irritability (1902); Mo Ltr’s account (1902) of an alkaloid, cliviine 
in Clivia miniata Benth.; ERRERA’s discussion (1903) of the limit of minuteness 
of organisms, and (1905) of the struggle for precedence and inhibitory action;* 
JosEPHINE WERY’s experiments (1904) on the attraction of bees by flowers;$ 
Van RIJSSELBERGHE’S physico-chemical paper (1905) on the. properties of mixed 
solutions and the physiological determination of their osmotic pressure; JACQUE- 
MIN’s microchemical study (1905) of the localization of alkaloids in Leguminosae; 
RRERA’S incomplete work on hygroscopicity as the explanation of ELFvine’s 
“physiological action at a distance” (of which more below), and a prelimi- 
nary note suggesting that the form and development of leaves are related 
to atmospheric electricity; finally MALtTAux and Massart’s paper on the 
chemical stimuli which affect the process of cell division. 
ERRERA’S paper on hygroscopicity has been edited by CoMMELIN from manu- 
script written in 1891, at which time ERRERA’s experiments on the curvatures 
observed by ELFvinc in Phycomyces led him to ascribe them to hydrotropism; 
but these results were not published in full. Lately he had felt that it was neces- 
sary to reinvestigate the matter in the light of the new discoveries in radiation, 
and on this task he was engaged in 1905 at the time of his death. His notes and 
conclusions, so far as they could properly be used, have been wc ile by 
the editor; but the paper remains a fragment—yet a valuable o 
The volumes show the tremendous activity inspired by this ere savant, 
whose loss is felt most keenly. It is to be hoped that the Institute will continue 
its fine record under its new energetic director.—C. R. B 
Water relations of desert plants 
Livincston has issued as publication 50 of the Carnegie Institution an 
account of studies made chiefly in the summer of 1904,° at the Desert Botanical 
Laboratory. He examined the soil moisture, atmospheric conditions, and the 
evaporation from water surfaces and plants. These studies are a worthy contri- 
bution to the solution of the problem of water relations of plants in the desert, 
in which many have interested themselves; but the end is not yet. 
The soil of Tumamoc Hill, on which the laboratory is situated, was found to 
have a high retentive power, and to contain, even at the end of the dry season, 
12-15 per cent. of water (by volume) at a depth of less than 40°™, an amount 
quite adequate to the needs of the desert plants. The water penetrates deeply 
4See Bor. GAZETTE 41:221. 1906. 
5 See Bor. GAZETTE 40:476. 1905. 
© Livincston, B. E., The relation of desert plants to soil moisture and to evapora- 
tion. Imp. 8vo. - * Li 16. Publication no. 50. Carnegie Institution, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 190: 
