1906] CURRENT LITERATURE 229 
phase a nuinber of chromatic bodies (presumably derivatives of the chromo- 
somes) are distributed on the linin fibers, and subsequently aggregate to form 
the lobular nucleolus of the resting nucleus. The first spore wall is cuticularized 
of three regions. The endospore (pectose and cellulose) is formed late, and 
is often separated from the second wall by a thin band of dark material.—J. M. C. 
Postelsia.'S—-Four years ago the first volume under this title appeared," 
containing seven papers by members of the Minnesota Seaside Station on the 
coast of Vancouver. The present volume is printed in the same handsome 
Style, and also contains seven papers as follows: Observations on plant distri- 
bution in Renfrew district of Vancouver Island (pp. 1-132. pls. rrr), by C. OQ. 
RosENDAHL; The Conifers of Vancouver Island (pp. 133-212. pls. 12-15), by 
F. K. Burrers; Hepaticae of Vancouver Island (pp. 213-235), by ALEXANDER 
W. Evans; Some western Helvellineae (pp. 236-244), by D. S. Hone; Ren- 
frewia parvula, a new kelp from Vancouver Island (pp. 245-274. pls. 16-19), 
by Rogert F. Griccs ; A study of the tide-pools on the west coast of Vancouver 
Island (Pp. 275-304, pls. 20-25), by IsABEL HENKEL; Some geological features 
of the Minnesota Seaside Station (pp. 305-347. pls. 26-33), by C. W. Hatt. 
The paper on plant distribution reaches the conclusion that the pterido- 
Phytes are poor in species for so moist a region, that the gymnosperms constitute 
the great mass of the vegetation, and that the monocotyledons are more impor- 
tant than the dicotyledons. The paper on conifers contains very interesting 
observations, treats Picea, Tsuga, and Pseudotsuga as sections under Abies, 
and organizes a key to the northwestern genera on the basis of foliage. Ren- 
jrewia is a new genus of kelps nearest to Laminaria and Cymathere.—J. M. C. 
Synapsis and reduction.—From a study of the pollen mother cells of Acer 
platanoides, Salomonia biflora, Ginkgo biloba, and Botrychium obliquum Car- 
DIFF draws the following conclusions.*7 Synapsis is a constant morphological 
character of the mother cell, and the unilateral position of the synaptic knot is 
Probably due to gravity. Previous to synapsis the chromatin is in two or more 
threads which arrange themselves in pairs, longitudinally, and finally fuse during 
Synapsis, but there is not a complete mingling of chromatin substance in the 
chromatic thread. The thread splits longitudinally in the first mitosis, probably 
along the line of previous fusion. The chromosomes are of different sizes and 
do not behave alike at the first mitosis. 
Te . 
a The year book of the Minnesota Seaside Station. 1906.. pp- 364. pls. 33. 
ned from Josephine E, Tilden, Univ. Minn., Minneapolis. $2.25. 
'© Bor. Gazette 34:468. 1902. : 
Carpirr, I. D., A study of reduction and synapsis. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 
33'271-306. pis. 12-15. 1906. 
