Botany. 281 
garis and Castanea Americana (both in opposite direction to the nearly 
allied species of the Old World), Quercus Robur, Populus angulata, 
Catalpa, Aisculus Hippocastanum, the Pear re and more than apy 
other the Pomegranate, also most Leguminous 
Most American Oaks, the Sassafras, Acer tec the Apple-tree, 
&c., twist about as often to the right as to the le ft. 
he cause of the apparent twisting is not easily ascertained. It is 
not occasioned by an actual twisting of the whole stem, but belongs to 
the growth of the successive annual layers. Prof. Braun connects it 
with the growth of the wood-cells, of which the ends, at their formation 
assume a certain obliquity ; so that this twist of the wood is conneete 
With the intimate nature or disposition of the cells themselves. But 
and high angle.* Any one who may take an prea n these investi- 
gations is requested to institute observations and make memoranda, 
noting the number of ae observed, as well as the sedis and — 
of the twist observed, if any. 
7. The Wellingtonia 7 rapes a —In a communication to the Bote 
Society of France in une, 1 . Decaisne has confirmed the vie 
which we had ‘a deuaind, in this ae and elsewhere, that the gigantic 
Coniferous tree to which Dr. Liadley gave the name of Wellingtonia 
On the same branch often presents both imbricated and distichous 
leaves ;—that in the structure of the fruit and seeds the common Red- 
wood and the so-called Wellingtonia are ‘identical, the only difference 
being that the cones of the latter are e larger raethat the structure is not 
like that of Sciadopitys ;—and finally, that the wood of the two trees 
is similar, both abounding with the red coloring matter, soluble in 
water, from which the Red-wood takes. its name: M. Decaisne, how- 
ever, arty not to have seen the male flowers, which, as we formerly 
remarked, are alone — to confirm the perfect generic identity of 
Wellingtonia with Sequ 
m M. Boursier a Ne Riviere, the French consul in California, M. 
—.. has likewise received specimens of a new California Conifer, 
* Our on Tupelo, or Pepperidge, or Vyssa would be a = subject 
he investigation , Since the obliquity of its wood is genera shea! considera et ond 
the la yers of a certain num ro ee ion from those 
of she receding la A. G. 
Bullets ‘ ida ts ta Soviets _Botanique de rance, fondée le 23 _ abe Vol. 1, 
p. 72-—Th shed in pes iy mubers, each of 44 to 60 pages, 8vo. 
: 
We =e momibateg the = aiane and two fascicles of the erg ‘of this publica- 
tion, and find it full of interesting matter, oa somes activity and ability with 
Which this Society has begun its work. M. Brongniart was the first President, and 
eded by M. for the current 
Seconp Series, Vol, XX, No. 59.—Sept., 1855. 36 
