1906] CURRENT LITERATURE 365 
believes that here, and also in the Sco mare the germination of the zygote 
will be found to be accompanied by a reduction of chromosomes, and that conse- 
quently a diploid, or 2x generation cannot be present. ‘The absence of a diploid 
generation explains why parthenogenesis occurs so readily. Forms like the Dicty- 
otaceae, which have a diploid generation, must be widely separated phylogeneti- 
cally from the Phaeosporeae. The thallus of the Fucaceae is diploid, while from 
the initials of oogonia and antheridia to the mature eggs and sperms the condi- 
tion is haploid, or gametophytic. The rather surprising view is expressed that 
the antheridia and oogonia of the Fucaceae are not homologous with those of 
the Dictyotaceae, but that they correspond rather to the tetraspore condition 
of the latter group. SrRAsBURGER makes the statement that the gametophytic 
generation begins with the complete separation of the 2x (doppelzahligen) 
chromosomes, because this separation furnishes the condition for the formation 
of sexual products. He does not indicate any more definitely that he would 
regard the spore rather than the spore mother-cell as the first term of the 
gametophyte.—CHARLES J, CHAMBERLAIN. 
Diseases of sugar cane.—LEwToN-BRAIN finds that the root-disease of the 
sugar cane in Hawaii?s is probably due to the fungus Marasmius sacchari, known 
to cause a similar disease in other countries. In Hawaii the fruiting body of the 
fungus has not yet been found. The Yellow Caledonia variety seems to be resist- 
ant to the disease while the Lahaina and Rose Bamboo are most severely injured. 
Ratoons are more injured than plant canes. Since this fungus is a soil-infesting 
fungus it may be controlled by liming the soil and through cultivation. 
Cops?: has recently published suggestions as to the inspection and disin- 
fection of sugar cane cuttings to prevent the spread of sugar cane diseases. ** 
The cuttings should be made with care to prevent the shattering of the ends, 
which permits the entrance of fungus parasites, and they should then be care- 
fully inspected to get rid of any diseased ones that may be present.. “Pick- 
ling” the cuttings in Bordeaux mixture is recommended, and a large part of the 
paper is devoted to methods of doing this work on the large scale required on 
a sugar plantation. The cuttings may also be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture 
in the ditch just before being covered—E. Mrap Wi1cox. 
Asparagus rust.—Smiru, as a result of his further studies of the asparagus 
rust problem on the Pacific coast, finds that the oe may be effectively controlled 
a duet spray of flowers of sulfur.?5 25 « 
or entirely prevented by the proper app 
23 LEWTON-BRAIN, L., Preliminary notes on root disease of sugar cane in Hawaii. 
Div. Path. and Phys. Has Stat. Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association Bull. 2: 1-39. 
1905. 
ae Eosi. N. A., The inspection and disinfection of cane cuttings. Div. Path. 
and Phys. Exp. Stat. of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association Bull. 1:1-35, 
pls. 8. 1905. 
2s SmiTH, R. E., Further experience in asparagus rust control. 
Stat. Bull. 172:1-21. figs. 7. 1906. 
Calif. Exp. 
