
136 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [FEBRUARY 
two new species of Eafonia from the southern states. — RUDOLPH SCHLECHTER 
(Mém. de l’Herb. Boiss. 21: 1-78. 15 N. 1900) has published a monograph of 
the Podochilinae (a group of orchids including four genera), much enlarging 
the borders of Podochilus, recognizing forty-seven species in it, and describ- 
ing five as new; describing a new genus, Lodogyne; and recognizing six 
species in Th elasés, and two in Oxyanthera.—J. M 
Messrs. D. H. Scott and T. G. Hitt have published an account of 
the structure of Jsoetes Hystrix, a terrestrial species, dealing entirely with 
the vegetative organs. Some of the results are as follows: - 
Stem.— There is some evidence of a single apical cell; the stele is not 
composed of united leaf traces, but is cauline, as in the simpler lycopods; 
two cambiums are developed, in some cases the outer, in other cases the 
inner first; well-differentiated phloem is always present in the intracambial 
zone, being continuous with the leaf traces. 
Leaf.-— The vascular bundle in the lamina has exarch structure, the pro- 
toxylem lying next the phloem; the phloem contains true sieve tubes with 
transverse and lateral sieve plates, on both of which callus is formed ; growth 
is intercalary, except at first ; the labium and velum are derived from tissue - 
above the sporangium, and not from sterilized sporogenous tissue 
Root.— The stele has a monarch structure throughout, the differentiation 
of the xylem beginning with the development of a single tracheid ; the apex 
is distinctly layered, the initial groups giving rise to plerome, and to inner 
and outer cortex, 
In the conclusion of the paper the authors discuss the systematic position 
of the genus, presenting strong arguments in favor of its affinity with the Lyco- 
podiales, in which group it seems to have some real affinity with Selaginella, 
but not close enough to include the two in the same family. ‘“ The relation- 
ship of Isoetes to the Lepidodendree is probably a nearer one.” The 
authors regard the genus as one reduced from a much more complex type, 
and in no sense a primitive form of the leafy sporophyte. They would regard 
it ‘as a group that has long hovered on the limit of terrestrial and aquatic 
life, some of the forms becoming wholly submerged, while a few have definitely 
betaken themselves to dry land, a large proportion leading a more or less 
amphibious existence,” — J. M. C. 
ONE OF THE greatest ecological investigations of the day has been 
delayed if not permanently checked by the untimely death of. the brilliant 
young Scotch botanist, Robert Smith, of Dundee. Inspired largely by 
Flahault, he attempted to do for Scotland what the latter is doing for south- 
-ern France, viz., make a detailed ecological survey of the country. Since 
1896 Smith has worked unceasingly at his task, and had published but the 
7 Annals of Botany 14: 413-454. pls. 27, 2g. 1900. 
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