232 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [SEPTEMBER 
groups. After some years of study given to a comparison oF ) 
these groups I am more firmly convinced than ever of their” 
genetic relationship. They show their relationship in their gross 
anatomy, the histology of their tissues, and their embryology. 
Allied to the Ranales are the Rosales, beginning with the 
Ranunculus-like Potentillee, and passing by easy steps to the 
simpler Leguminose (Czsalpiniacee and Mimosacez), on the 
one hand, and the Saxifragaceze on the other, and through 
the latter to Celastrales and Myrtales. Here, then, in my 
opinion, is the point of divergence of the monocotyledons and 
dicotyledons, represented by the Apocarpe of the former, and 
the Ranales and Rosales of the latter. The similarities in struc- 
ture between some Microsperme and the Naiadacee in Bentham 
and Hooker’s system, noticed above, as between some of the 
families (Naiadacee, Alismacez, Chloranthacez, etc.) placed by 
Engler and Prantl at the beginning of the two subclasses, are 
hints as to a natural arrangement which it is strange that these 
eminent systematists overlooked. 
L. M. Unperwoop and F. S. Earte: Notes on the pine inhab- 
iting species of Peridermium.—The paper gave an enumeration of 
the species known to inhabit the various species of Pinus in the 
United States, with their distribution by hosts, and their geo- 
graphical distribution. All the species are foliicolous except ?. 
cerebrum Pk., which forms large distortions on the stems, trunks, 
and branches of its hosts. Remarks were made in reference 
the various forms of these distortions, especially those produced 
in the south on Pinus Teda and P. echinata. The species being 
perennial, the necessity of an alternate stage for the parasite | 
obviated. 
D. T. MacDouca.: Reaction of leaves to continuous rainfall.— 
The first recognition of the influence of rainfall upon leaf forms 
ves that given by Ridley in his Flora of Pajang, and an extel- 
Sive exploitation of the subject was made by Stahl in 1893- 
Since the publication of Stahl’s work, Jungner has carried on @ 
