. Sr ey 
1901] CURRENT LITERATURE 377 
have been but little studied in this connection, and it might be supposed that 
the more xerophytic climatic conditions would work against the root fungi. 
Many plants, however, are found to possess mycorhiza in considerable 
abundance. Salix, various ericads, Dryas, Diapensia, and other species 
appeared much like more southern forms. W. Magnus has made an impor- 
tant cytological contribution?3 to the mycorhiza literature. He finds that the 
endotropic mycorhiza of Neottia is of two types, which differ in position, 
Structure, and function. Four to six layers of cells immediately within the 
exodermis contain fungal hyphae. In the outer and inner layers of these 
cells the hyphae are thin-walled, and the fungi are digested by the host 
plant; ultimately the fungal threads degenerate, forming masses which also 
contain parts of the cell protoplasm. These masses Magnus regards as 
excreted products. In contrast to the above the more centrally located 
hyphae are thick-walled and remain vigorous throughout, not being digested 
by the host; these hyphae have haustoria and are regarded as parasitic on 
the orchid. This study thus gives still another view as to the significance of 
endotropic mycorhiza. Magnus treats in detail the cytology of the hyper- 
trophied host cells, and at the close of the paper gives an excellent bibliog- 
raphy of the mycorhiza literature.— H. C. CowLEs. 
ITEMS OF TAXONOMIC interest are as follows: E. L. GREENE (Pittonia 
4: 285-320. 1901) has described 17 new species of Viola, 12 of Cerastium, 
5 of Rumex, 8 of Lesquerella, 3 of Draba, and 7 of Lacinaria—J. K. SMALL 
(Torreya 1: 73-75. Igo1.) has discussed Juncoides in the southeastern 
States, describing a new species; has described (édem 97) a new Crataegus 
from Florida; also (tdem 107-108) a new Chamaelirium; and (zdem 67) a 
new Alleghanian Rudbeckia.—E. P. BICKNELL (édem 102-105) has described 
2 new eastern species of Lespedeza.—B. D. GILBERT (Fern Bull. 9: 53-54. 
1901) has described a new Asplenium from Kamchatka.—F. S. EARLE 
(Muhlenbergia I:9-I7. IgoI) has written upon some fungi from Porto Rico, 
describing 11 new species and 1 new genus (Cercosporidium) of the Dema- 
tiaceae.—_ W. N. SuKSDORF (Bot. Monatss. 19: 91-93. Igo!) has described 
hew species of Sisyrinchium, Potamogeton, Juncus, Deyeuxia, Melica, and 
Equisetum, from Washington.—_THEO. Hoxtm (Ottawa Nat. 1§:ITo-IIl. 
1901) has described 3 new Canadian species of Gentiana.—WILDEMAN and 
DuranD (Bull. Herb. Boiss. II. 1:839. 1901) have described a new ike 
(Bosqueiopsis) of Urticaceae from the Congo region._-SCHMIDLE and WE 
HEIM (idem 1007-1012, #/. 7?) have described a new genus (Riots) 0 of 
Pleurococcaceae.—H. MIEHE (Ber. deut. bot. Gesells. 19:434-441. pi. 2 
‘901) has described a new genus (Crafu/o) of marine Flagellates.—]. mie. 
SUMURA (Bot. Mag. Tokyo 15:67. 1901) has described a new Formosan 
slats (Alniphytium) of Styracaceae.—G. LopriorE (Malpighia 14: 435 and 
*3 Jahrb. fiir wiss. Bot. 35 : 205-272. 1900. 
