434 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [DECEMBER 
A PAPER ON T7ulifa Gesneriana by Alfred Ernst” adds another species to 
the list of seed plants showing polyémbryony, and also confirms Guignard’s 
observation of double fertilization in this species. The author has followed 
out the development of the embryo sac in a close series, discovering no 
marked variation from the usual method. In fertilization the second male 
nucleus unites with the upper polar nucleus and both unite with the lower 
polar, the three remaining distinct and showing no evidence of fusion. The 
interest of the paper, however, centers about the development of the embryo. 
The fertilized egg divides by a longitudinal or transverse wall, and some- 
times by an oblique wall. From these cells there develops by means of 
irregular cell division a compact mass of large cells rich in protoplasm 
and containing many nuclei. This “proembryo”’ forms at its apex from one 
to six embryos, only one of which as a rule develops into a normal embryo. 
The other embryos, as well as the cells of the ‘“ proembryo,” are resorbed 
and devoted to the building up of the embryo proper. This is a case of 
polyembryony similar to that discovered by Jeffrey and also by Hofmeister 
in Erythronium. The author endeavors to follow out the reduction and 
doubling of the chromosomes, but this part of the paper is far from satisfac- 
tory. A valuable résumé of the literature of polyembryony is included in the 
discussion. The figures are carefully drawn and adequate to explain the 
points considered.—J. B. OVERTON. 
ITEMS OF TAXONOMIC INTEREST are as follows: C. R. BALL (Proc. 
Iowa Acad. Sci. 7: 141-154. 1g00) has published an account of the 14 spe- 
cies of Salix occurring in Iowa.— E. S. STEELE (Proc. Biol. Soc. Washing- 
ton 14: 47-86. tgor) has published the 6th list of additions to the flora of 
Washington, D.C., and vicinity, with descriptions of new species of Viola 
and Lycopus.— F. N. WILLIAMs (Jour. Bot. 39: 289-294, f/. 425. 1901) has 
separated Salisbury’s genus lanthe from Hypoxis.— F, V. CoviLLE (Proc. 
Wash. Acad. Sci. 3 : 297-362. A/s. 37-42. 1901) has published a very full and 
handsomely illustrated account of the willows of Alaska, including 23 species, 
one of which is new.— EL1as NELSON (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 23 : 697-713: 
1901) has published a revision of 35 species of Antennaria, 4 of them being 
ate FR. MEINSHAUSEN (Acta Hort. Petrop. 18: 9-415. Igor) has pub- 
lished a synopsis of the Cyperaceae of European and Asiatic Russia. New 
species are described under Kyllingia (1), Cyperus (3), Scirpus (5, including 
Eleocharis), Eriophorum (2), Schoenus (1), Kobresia (2), and Carex (25), the 
last genus being represented by 215 species.—V. L. Komarov (ddem 419-449) 
has described numerous new species from Manchuria and northern Korea, 
among them a new genus (Boehmeriopsis) of Urticaceae and g new species 
of Carex.— O. F. Cook (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 28: 525-569. Pls. 437-48. 1901) 
™ Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Entwickelung des Embryosackes und des Embryo 
(Polyembryonie) von Tudipa Gesneriana. Flora 88: 37-77. pls. 4-8. 1901. 
