1908] CURRENT LITERATURE 239 
group from Greenland to Patagonia in the western hemisphere and from Spitz- 
bergen to Cape Colony in the eastern is to be contrasted with its present occurrence 
in South America and the Australasian region. This means that araucarians 
have disappeared from North America, Europe, Africa, and practically all of Asia. 
Recent investigations in the Atlantic coastal plain show that the group not merely 
occurred in that region during the Mesozoic, but was abundant, perhaps the most 
abundant coniferous type of the older Mesozoic. From this region BERRY 
escribes three new species: Araucarites Zeilleri, from New Jersey; Araucaria 
bladenensis, from North Carolina to Alabama; and Araucaria Jeffreyi, from 
North Carolina.—J. M. C. 
Embryo sac and embryo of Urticaceae.—MopiLEwsKy's has examined 
twelve genera of Urticaceae (Urtica, Elatostema, Laportea, Urera, Parietaria, 
Fleurya, Boehmeria, Dorstenia, Morus, Celtis, Cannabis, and Humulus), and 
finds that the embryo d embryo are in general of the ordinary dicotyledonous 
without polar fusion. In Urtica cannabina a conspicuous antipodal haustorium 
18 developed, and a much smaller one appears in U. wrens. Many other details are 
recorded, but they are of no special significance.—J. M. C. 
Black rot.—The black rot of the grape is the subject of a recent bulletin by 
REDpIcK and Wuzson,*° which is mainly popular in nature, and is well illustrated 
and clear. The spores germinate on the vines only in the presence of water. 
Infection is noticeable after a period of twelve to twenty days, or upon the berry 
i eight to fourteen days. After discussing the control, it is stated that four acres, 
well Sprayed, made a gain of 1662 pounds, equalling a saving of $32.95 per acre. 
It 'S Tecommended that mummied fruit be picked to avoid the spread of the 
disease, that the ground be turned over as completely as possible, to bury rotted 
berries, and that the vines be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, as has been recom- 
mended heretofore-—F, L. Stevens. 
Leaves in autumn.—TsweETr summarizes the knowledge regarding the 
“mptying of leaves in autumn thus.t? It may be considered as settled that the 
i Benous compounds diminish and are carried back, proteolysis simplifying 
the proteins to this end; results as to phosphorus compound contradict 
iy iteeee 
se Mopitewskxy, JAxkos, Zur Samenentwicklung einigen Urticifloren. Flora 98: 
423-470. figs. 7I. 1908. 
*° REDDICK, Donatp, and Witson, C. S., The black rot of the grape, and its 
Cornell Univ. Agric. Exp. Sta., Bull. 2532367-388- April 1908. 
SO inca M., Ueber die Verfirbung und die Entleerung des absterbenden 
* Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Gesells. 26a:88-93. 1908. 
