266 The Botanical Gazette. [August, 
that region in the summer of 1891. He has brought together the 
results of his studies and examination of literature in a quarto pam- 
phlet, under the title “Lebermoosstudien im nordlichen Norwegen,” 
giving an account of the vertical and superficial distribution of 115 
species. It may be obtained of the author at J6nk6ping. 
Pror. J. G. Lemmon, of Oakland, California, has published a “hand- 
book of West-American cone-bearers.” It contains brief popular 
descriptions, and also attempts to establish approved English names. 
In the great confusion of names in local use the attempt deserves suc- 
cess, and no one is better fitted to speak of Pacific forests than Pro- 
fessor Lemmon. 
Proressor L. H. BaiLey has published an excellent paper on 
cross-breeding and hybridizing.t The philosophy of the crossing of 
plants is considered with reference to their improvement under cul- 
tivation, and a brief bibliography of the subject is given. The paper 
was originally given as a lecture before the Massachusetts State Board 
of Agriculture. ' 
Dr. C. Hart Merriam has published a: list of the plants of the 
Pribilof or Seal Islands? (Bering Sea), based upon specimens col 
lected from July 28 to August 10, 1891. The collection contains 
about tooo specimens, representing over 130 species. This 1s far the 
largest collection that has been made, or reported from these islands. 
There is not a tree or bush on the islands, the highest woody play) 
being the dwarf Salix reticulata. Some critical notes are furnished by 
Mr. J. N. Rose, and various groups have been referred to well-known 
specialists. 
NOTES AND NEWS. 
; F m 
Mr. THEO. Hoi has resigned his position in the National Museu 
and accepted a place in the Division of Vegetable Pathology. ‘ical 
MER Course for the study of shrubs and trees at pa nit 
Arboretum proved highly successful. About thirty persons we 
ance. 
: jrector 
PROFESSOR Dr. ALEXANDER BATALIN has been appointed 3 the 
of the Imperial Botanic Gardens at St. Petersburg in success 
late Dr. E. Regel. 
"The Rural Library, vol. 1, no. 6, April, 1892. 
* Proc. Biol. Soc. of Washington, vin, 133-150, July, 1892. 
