480 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [DECEMBER 
studies on the physiology of the stomata of desert plants. Dr. V. M. SPALDING 
has returned for his third winter’s research work at this laboratory, and is extend- 
ing his studies on the absorption of water and water vapor by representative 
shrubs and trees. The resident investigator, Dr. W. A. CANNON, is observing 
the transpiration of certain salt-loving plants which are growing in the vicinity 
of Tucson, and continuing his work on the anatomy of palo verde (Parkinsonia) 
and other plants. 
On JuLy 15 appeared the first number of the semi-monthly Repertorium 
novarum specierum regni vegetabilis, under the editorial direction of Dr. FEDDE, 
and from the publishing house of GEBRUDER BORNTRAEGER. The earlier num- 
bers each contain sixteen pages, filled with diagnoses of new species, some original 
(South American collections mainly), some reprinted. It is the purpose to 
reprint in this journal the scattered descriptions of new species from all journals 
and floras, as published, and to publish original papers of the same kind. The 
subscription price at present is M 10 per year; or for an edition printed on one 
side only, for card catalogue use, M 15. 
THE UNIversity or Texas has recently improved its equipment for courses 
in mycological and bacteriological technique. For the present, only elementary 
mycology and bacteriology for sanitary engineers are given, but it is intended 
later to offer advanced courses. Professor W. L. Bray, head of the School of 
Botany, is preparing an elementary plant geography of Texas, to be issued as 
a bulletin of the University of Texas for the affiliated schools. ‘The major part 
of the bulletin will deal with the factors influencing distribution and the phenomena 
of adaptation. He is also continuing his study of the forest conditions of the 
“Big Thicket” country of southeastern Texas. A. M. FERGUSON, instructor 
in botany, has been endeavoring by experiments on an extensive scale to improve 
the quality and yield in southern corn, and is investigating the acclimatization 
of corn races. 
DurincG the month of September, Professors OLIVER, TANSLEY, and BLACK- 
MAN conducted a field expedition to the Bouche D’Erquy in Brittany, somewhat 
on the lines of a previous expedition, but more thoroughly carried out, and embrac- 
ing more points of attack. The place selected both in 1904 and 1905 was an 
extensive area of salt marshes. The party was divided into three sections: 
(1) under charge of Professor Ottver, continuing and contouring the general 
map of the area, begun in 1904; (2) under charge of Mr. TaNstEy, charting the 
vegetation, in which work CLEMENTS’s quadrat and transect methods were 
employed, in addition to the grid system of Ottver and TANsLEY; (3) under 
charge of Dr. Blackman of Cambridge, determining the physical factors of the 
habitats, especially the salt and water factors. It is planned to continue these 
xpeditions in succeeding years, and permanent quadrats have been plotted to 
facilitate the study of vegetation changes. This study is one of the most practical 
and systematic yet attempted, and the division of labor amongst the members of 
the party, each section being under charge of a competent specialist, is particularly 
commendable. 
