Current Literature. 397 
the tendrils of Parthenocissus guinguefola (Linn.) Planch. (Ampel- 
opsis quinquefolia Michx.) 
From the results of investigation by Haberlandt, Pfeffer, Hof- 
meister, MacFarlane and others, on various plants showing “contact 
movements,” it appears that none have developed the contact sense in 
sichamanner as to be able to distinguish portions’ of its own or 
Similar plant bodies from foreign objects, as would be implied in the 
_ Tesults of Darwin’s observations. Some of the workers named, how- 
ter, have quoted this statement of Darwin’s, but apparently without 
having confirmed it by actual experiment or observation. 
In general it may be safely said that tendrils distinguish only the force 
ofthe impact, and roughness of the surface of a body coming in contact 
_ Miththem, and the assertion is hazarded that the inter-reaction of 
tndrils will be found present in all tendril plants having a habit of 
se, Vigorous growth.—D. TT. MacDougal, Botanical Laboratories, 
University of Minnesota. 
CURRENT LITERATURE. 
The power of bacteria to penetrate vegetable tissue. 
mirable and much needed piece of work has been done 
Russell, now of the University of Wisconsin, in 
setting in order the scattered knowledge re- 
An ad 
by Dr. 
nges in healthy vegetable tissues. He finds from 
“Aig Tesearches, what has already been held as highly probable by 
oly vegetable pathologists, that “normally, the healthy plant with in- 
this ba habe is free from bacteria within its peat he 
hives “€ apparently to any marked germicidal properties of p msi 
i and in this respect there is a great difference between plants 
Pa ne any species of bacteria, including animal appt 
: “Shea upon other hosts than those in which they a ae 
— Yome § Saprophytes, more especially the last, are able to ia! 3 
4, Me, when artificially inoculated, and even to spread pri 
E dhngss . ‘0a limited extent. In such cases no evident prvi : 
Per re brought about, and the intruding germs eventually disap- 
: we od by which germs effect their distribution, Te 
kh “ably from one cell cavity to another, and not mterce , 
‘ {0 Present 1: Bacteria in their relation to vegetable tissue; 
: rhe the ed to the board of university studies of the Johns see HSS: 
E of doctor of philosophy. 41 pp. Roy. 8vo. Baltimore, , 
