278 The Botanicul Gazette. [September, 
what extent this is a reliable specific character.” Some agros- 
tologists use this character and some do not. From 10 to 30 
plants in each of 47 species were examined, and the inter- 
nodes and sheaths measured and tabulated. The character 
proved good in 35 species. In very variable species it is of 
less importance, and in no case would it be safe to rely upon 
one or two stemsalone. The sheaths and internodes of very 
- W. ROWLEE: ‘‘Adaptation of seeds to facilitate germin- 
ation.” —The most critical time in the life history of the plant 
is when the embryo is dormant in the seed. Hence it is to be 
H. RUSSELL: ‘Bacteriological investigations of eg 
waters and the sea floor.” —To be published in full in the 
ZETTE. 
F. V. CovILLe: ‘Sketch of the flora of Death Asie: 
California.” —The paper was introduced by a general sta of 
ment of the topography of Death Valley. The absence : 
trees was spoken of and the characteristics of other vegetation 
Lists of species were arranged by groups, with an accoun on- 
the special adaptation of species to desert conditions. In aie 
clusion the geographical relationship of the flora was 
cussed. 
water to seed 
he GAZETTE: 
Weis- 
m- 
_ J. C. ARTHUR: ‘How the application of hot 
tncreases the yield.” —To be published in full int zs 
ILES: ‘Heredity of acquired characters. — 
mann’s theory of the continuity of a stable, 
plasm that is independent of the body-plasm, and nee 
a cannot, 
