192 . The Botanical Gazette. [June, 
dissolved above into a level-topped cyme of branches; their 
height, exclusive of \the spores which easily fall off, is 125— 
150. : 
Synthetospora gen. nov.— z procumbent, 
branched, intricate, sending out short lateral fertile branch- 
lets, which produce the spores at th ex; spores lobed, 
circumference; the spores are 20—30 in extent, being usually 
measure IO—12 uw in diameter and project half way or a little 
Growing on the hymenial surface of some Peziza, pte- 
sumably P. semitosta B. & C. The habit and habitat are 
that of a Mycogone, but the double spore of the latter 's 
greatly amplified. The hyphz are quite slender, about 548 
thickness. The hyaline basal cell by which the spore 1s oe 
tached to the thread is sometimes drawn out to nearly conical; 
the symmetry of the spores is occasionally interfered with by 
the interposition of a fifth lateral cell. 
Preston, O. 
BRIEFER ARTICLES. 
The chemical composition of the nectar of the Poinsettia.—The a 
taries of Poinsettia pulcherrima are strongly developed and secrete 
abundantly that the nectar drips away from the organs. se nih 
Specimens growing in the college green-house, a considerable re ne 
of the nectar was secured in very pure condition, by means : ae 
pointed camels-hair pencil. It was a clear, colorless sirup, Very * 
and becoming sticky on drying. 
The total amount collected was 3.383 grams whic 
Some weeks over sulphuric acid, was reduced in W 
h, after standing 
eight to 2.3353 
