4901] CURRENT LITERATURE 153 
Incidentally, it is noted that there are sometimes two embryo sacs in 
LL. candidum. In these species a very large vacuole develops between the 
two polar nuclei preventing the nuclei from fusing. The writer suggests that 
this may account for the sterility of this species. It is also noted that the 
‘upper polar nucleus and the nuclei of the egg and synergids are erythrophil- 
ous, while the four nuclei at the antipodal end of the sac are cyanophilous. 
This difference in chromatophily is attributed to chemical differences due to 
‘sexuality, the nuclei at the antipodal end of the sac having lost all sexual 
character.— CHARLES J. CHAMBERLAIN. 
ITEMS OF TAXONOMIC INTEREST are as follows: H. J. BANKER (Bull. 
Torr. Bot. Club 28: 199-222. 1901) has published a synopsis of the species of 
Hydnum, 40 being recognized, and one described as new.—AVEN NELSON 
(idem 223-235), in his 13th paper entitled ‘‘ New plants from Wyoming,” has 
described 18 new species and varieties belonging to various families.— 
DaviD GRIFFITHS (ddem 236-241) has described a new ergot growing on 
species of Hilaria in Arizona~—-MAXWELL T. MAsTERs (Bot. Jahrb. Beibl. 
a number na new species ae Seen vere Bek New G inea.— In Torreya 
(1: 41-43. 1901) N. L. Brirron has described a new Hieracium from 
Florida, E. L. GREENE a new Arnica from regon, J. BEAL a new 
d 
ee ae from Colorado.— B. SHIMEK (Bull. Lab. Nat. Hist. lowa Univ. 
: 139-170. Igor) has published a list of the pteridophytes of Iowa, with sta- 
Rae MAKINO and K. SuH1paTa (Bot. Mag. Tokyo 15: 1-14. f/. 1. 1901) 
have described a new genus (Sasa) of Bambuseae, including eight species 
which have heretofore been referred to Bambusa. The name is a common 
Japanese name for “small bamboos.”—Among some recently published notes 
on algae (Zoe 5: 121-129. 1901) W. A. SETCHELL has described new genera 
as follows: Hedophyllum ss Pleurophycus Laminariaceae), and 
Weeksia (Dumontiaceae).— B. L. RoBINsoN (Proc. Am. Acad. 36: 455-488. 
1901), in a recent ae from the Gray dota has published as 
follows: A synopsis of the genus Melampodium, 36 species being recognized, 
7 of which are new; a synopsis of the genus Nocca (Lagascea), 14 species 
being recognized, 3 of which are new ; new species and newly noted synonymy 
among the spermatophytes of Mexico and Central America, the genus Eupa- 
torium receiving 15 new species.— M. L. FERNALD (dem 491-506) has 
described a fascicle of new seed-plants from Mexico and Central America. 
Among them is a new genus of fee (Hippomaneae), A/coceria by 
name.— WILLIAM TRELEASE (Rept. Bot. Gard. 12: 79-80. f4. sé se 
Igo!) has published a new palmetto ‘Sabet Uresana) from Sonora.— J. 
