1898] CURRENT LITERATURE a 
Though obliged on account of their number to omit the forms and subforms, 
the catalogue contains 215 species, almost 600 varieties, and about 2000 bib- 
liographical citations. The names are all alphabetically arranged, so that 
reference is easy. Synonyms appear in their proper place alphabetically 
and are also grouped chronologically under the species to which they are 
referred. Such work as this is too little appreciated, but deserves the fullest 
recognition because it saves others hours of time and does a great deal to 
facilitate study. 
The paper is reprinted (and repaged) from the tenth volume of the Bu/- 
letin de la Société a’ Histoire Naturelle d@ Autun (for 1897), the first page of 
text (p. 3) corresponding to p. 235 of that volume.—C. R. B. 
NOTES FOR STUDENTS: 
IT Is CURIOUS to find M. Henri Coupin, in experiments to determine the 
toxic dose of various substances for plants, using ercentage solutions. If 
the new knowledge of solutions has taught physiologists anything, it is that 
percentage solutions of different substances are absolutely incomparable, 
and to base a comparative research on them now is absurd. The first paper 
of a promised series is on the toxicity of sodium chloride and sea water.® 
The seedlings of peas and wheat were supported at the surface of the solu- 
tions by pins, whose corrosion no doubt adds considerably to the toxicity of 
the fluids. With such sources of error, the series of experiments does not 
Promise to be valuable.—C. R: B. 
MOST INVESTIGATIONS as to the effect of the X-rays seem to be yielding 
negative results. Schober and Miiller find no heliotropic action; Beaure- 
gard and Guichard, and Atkinson find that they do not affect the vitality of 
bacteria; the latter also observed no effect on oscillarias or the sensitive 
Plant. MM, Maldiney and Thouvenin now report? that the X-rays have no 
effect in the formation of chlorophyll. These investigators, however, show 
that the germination of certain seeds is hastened by exposure for an hour or 
more to X-rays. 
THE Lioyp Lrprary is coming to be known throughout this country 
and Europe as one of the most important botanical libraries. Two years ago 
is asked Mr. C. G. Lloyd to prepare for the GAZETTE a brief account of 
this library. He acceded to this request, but his absorption in other work 
and his fr €quent prolonged absences from this country have interfered with 
the plan. Now a description of the library has been published by Dr. E. 
Kremers, editor of the Pharmaceutical Review, in that journal (16: 85—-94- 
6 ae 
ihr §en¢eral de Botanique 10: 177. May 1898. 
Revue général de Botanique 10: 81. 1898. 
