160 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [avcusr 
clusion that the genus Lycopodium should be interpreted as a reduction series, ; 
or to afford a basis for the supposition that the sporangium-bearing organ of the 
Lycopodiaceae has been ‘derived from a branch structure which had the mor- 
phological value of an axillary bud.’”-—Atma G. SToKEy. 
Aue 
; 
j 
Embryo and endosperm of Potamogeton.—Cook:? has investigated mati 
of P. lucens obtained from Cuba. The embryo was found to resemble closely 
that of Alisma in its development. In endosperm formation a transverse wall 
chambers the sac at the first division; in the micropylar chamber the endosperm 
formation proceeds as a series of free nuclear divisions, usually with parietal 
placing; the antipodal chamber develops as a haustorial extension of the sac 
into the chalaza, and during this development the second daughter nucleus of the 
primary endosperm nucleus seems to be very active, but does not divide —J. M.C. 
Ophioglossum simplex.—This rare Sumatran species has been collected 
again, and these new specimens show to BowER3 an outgrowth which, evidently 
single, represents a sterile blade, of which there was no such indication in the 
specimen he had examined previously. The fact is important because of the 
difference of opinion as to the phylogenetic position of Ophioglossum. CAMP 
BELL has regarded O. simplex as the most primitive known member of the 
genus, while Bower has claimed it to be a reduction form. The evidence just 
reported would seem to justify the latter contention.—J. M. C. 
Anthocyan and chlorophyll.—An interesting bit on the function of anthocyan 2 
s the observation by Morr that the red leaves of a species uniformly contait 
“8 chlorophyll than the green leaves. The ratio runs between 1.08 and 1.27- 
This seems to be difficult to reconcile with TiscHLER’s hypothesis that anthocyal 
enables the plant to nourish itself better and so to stand a more severe climate. 
sahil stein cl Adicts er calae 
Radioactivity.—Acqua reports’ that salts of uranium and thorium, even 
in very dilute solutions, injure seedlings of wheat by reducing the development 
the primary root. Germination was also retarded. His experiments supplem®®” 
those on radium and other radioactive substances by other investigators. —C. oe A 
32 CooK, MELVILLE THURSTON, The development of the embryo sac and ember 
of Potamogeton lucens. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 35:209-218. pls. 9, 10- 1908. a 
33 Bower, F. O., Note on Oppiegiosromt simplex Ridley. Annals of Botany ‘ 
327, 328. aie | 
, T., Ueber den spent ota, eee anthocyanfiihrender Blatter ve “ 
laufige Mineitungy Bot. Notiser 1908: 49-53. 1908. 
35 Acqua, C., Sull’azione o sali radioattivi ie uranio e di torio nella veges 
Annali di Botanica 6:387-4 
