1896] CURRENT LITERATURE 187 
of a sucker which is in contact with a host become papillate, and, by pressure 
and solvent action combined, penetrate the superficial cells of the host. 
When these have succeeded in penetrating, the sucker enlarges still more, 
and thus furnishes a strong brace for the haustorium, which must neces- 
sarily develop considerable pressure to penetrate into the deeper tissues 
of the host, although at the same time it may perhaps supplement this 
mechanical penetration by the softening or solvent action of any enzymes which 
it may be able to secrete. In these ways the behavior of the haustorium and 
the sucking-disc of the Loranthacee is not unlike that of the completely 
parasitic phanerogams. In an appendix, Mr. Keeble describes the forms of 
the fruits and seeds of some of the Cingalese Loranthacee. This interesting 
and suggestive paper is illustrated by several woodcuts and two large 
well-executed lithographic plates.—GEORGE J. PEIRCE. 
