246 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 
THE GRouNDs of Buchner’s belief that the virulent Bacillus Anthracis is only 
a form of the harmless hay bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, has been carefully reviewed 
by Pragmowski, who finds that they are absolutel y distinct species. There 18 
doubtless more autonomy among the bacteria than many observers are inclined 
to admit. : 
EVEN THE BACTERIA themselves are subject to disease! Inflated forms, 
called “involution forms” by Nigeli and Buchner, are to be met with in cul- 
tures, which De Bary regards as resulting from a disease or degenerate con- 
dition, due to insufficient nourishment, and it may be to other causes not well 
understood. ; 
THE pisEases of the potato have been well described and illustrated by 
Mr. C. B. Plowright in recent numbers of the Gardeners’ Chronicle. The pun 
pal ones are the epidemic or common rot (Phytophthora infestans), wet rot 
( Bacillus amylobacter), dry rot, scab, and mottled tubers. The cause of the last 
three diseases is not known. 
WE HAVE examined the preparations of transverse sections of coniferous 
leaves put up by Rev. J. D. Kin , mentioned in our last issue, and find them 
admirably done, and thoroughly satisfactory for critical study even under high 
powers. They are mounted in glycerine jelly, balsam not being suitable for 
such tissues, and the several sections are arranged and keep their places, which, 
so og as we know, has never before been successfully accomplished in this 
ium. 
IN THE West- American Scientist, for February, Dr. C. C. Parry edits En- 
gelmann’s new Euphorbiaceous genus Tetracoccus, of which the lamented author 
left incomplete manuscript Dr. Parry calls the species, a Lower Cali- 
fornian one, T. dioicus. But he has worked at cross purposes with Mr. Sereno 
Watson, who, in Proc. Am. Acad. xx. 372, issued February 21, edits the same 
genus and names the species 7. Engelmanni. It becomes a nice question whether 
Dr. Parry’s or Mr. Watson’s name should stand. 
of London and the Royal Society’s Scientific Relief Fund. The part of 
mens for the botanical establishment at Kew, or in such other manner as h 
d for the promotion of botanical science.” 
RSCHMIDT gives in a recent number of Nature a summary 
investigations into the continuity of protoplasm . 
ates that it extends from cell to cell through most kinds of sie 
occupies the intercellular spaces where it may secrete a cell wa 
t and form a true cell, and that it even extends as a thin plate 
protoplasm between the layers of the cell-wall (e. g. in leav of mistletoe). 
This last statement is so remarkable that it needs full confirmation before 
is entitled to acceptance, 
THE REMARKS of Professor C. E. Bessey, in his report as dean of the ip- 
H 
- eae f 
dustrial College of the University of Nebraska, show a broad appreciation ° 
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