1900] CURRENT LITERATURE 135 
to the otocyst of some lower animals, and have the form of a centrosphere 
containing a centrosome of different specific gravity from the liquid in which 
it lies, the wall being locally sensitive to the pressure of the centrosome and 
functionally connected with the release of action in the growing zone. Such 
an organ need not be of visible size, and it is unlikely that it is the already 
known centrosphere connected with cell division —C. R. B 
ITEMS OF TAXONOMIC interest are as follows: C. L. SHEAR (Bulletin 23, 
Division of Agrostology, Dept. of Agric.) has published a revision of the N. 
Am. species of Bromus occurring north of Mexico, recognizing 36 species 
and 28 varieties, 45 of which are native and Ig introduced, and describing 
15 new varieties, 3 new species, and a new subgenus (/Veobromus).—R. E. 
Scuun (Rhodora 2:111-112. pZ. 78, 1900) has described a new genus of 
brown alge, calling it Rhadinocladia.—T. F. ALLEN (Bull. Torr, Bot. Club 
27: 299-304. pis. 70-75. 1900) has described three new charas from Cali- 
fornia.— L. F. HENDERSON (zbid. 342-359) has described 26 new plants from 
Idaho and other northwestern localities.—R. CHopat (Mém. de l'Herb. 
Boiss. 17:10. 1900) has described three new genera of Protococcoidex from 
the plankton flora of the ponds of Denmark, naming them Lemmermannia, 
Hofmania, and Catena.—F. STEPHAN! (ibid. 16 :1-46. 1900), in continuing 
his Species Hepaticarum, presents Calycularia (6 spp.), Makinoa (1 sp.), © avi- 
cularia (1 sp.), Blasia (1 sp.), Peliia (3 spp.), Androcryphia (1 sp.), Petalo- 
bhyllum (2 spp.), Treubia (2 spp.), Fossombronia (40 spp.), Haplomitrium (1 
and Calobryum (3 spp.) —W. N. SuksporF (Deutsch. bot. Monats. 18: 
8 
“Presenting the genera Sidalcea, Ribes, Epilobium, Echinocystis, Selinum, 
» Wyethia, Cnicus, Gilia, Collinsia, Mimulus, Castilleia, ant Ortho- 
ENGLER (Bot. Jahrb. 28: 291-384. 1900), in continuing his 
Flora von Afrika, presents the following contributions : 
erbenacez (II), Borraginacee (I), and Labiatae (V); Le 
NNINGS on the fungi of eastern Africa; K. SCHUMANN on a new family 
of : i ; 
alvales, which he calls 7; riplochitonacee, the single genus being 77ip- 
G 
106 § enumerated, many of which are new.— TH. LOESENER (208 : 
Kas )has published a second paper on the flora of Central America.~ 
“ REICHE (2id. 107-1 19) has published a revision of the South American 
