216 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [ MARCH 
two or more must necessarily operate, is not.at allan easy problem. Of some 
the effect seemed to be direct ; of others it was exceedingly complex, and it 
would be quite easy to quarrel with the analysis in some cases. With many 
species it became possible to produce the sex organs or the zoospores at will; 
and in some species even to produce male or female organs in predominance 
by furnishing appropriate conditions. The volume is a monument of pains- 
taking experimentation, and, even though elaborate, by no means represents 
the amount of energy which has been expended upon the problems. 
We are promised the second part “somewhat later.” It is to contain a 
general discussion of the physiology of reproduction, based upon the researches 
here set forth and upon the scattered statements to be found in literature. It 
will be welcome, and we sincerely hope that it may be doubly welcome because 
supplied with an index of its own, and also one for this volume which at pres- 
ent is wanting. It should be made a penal offense for a publisher to issue a 
book without a suitable index.—C. R. B. 
The Laboulbeniacee. 
WE welcome with pleasure the magnificent monograph of Dr. Thaxter® 
upon the Laboulbeniacee. It is not probable that any group of fungi has 
been honored within recent years with such thorough and detailed study as 
have these forms. The Laboulbeniacez are parasitic fungi living upon the 
bodies of insects, chiefly Coleoptera and Diptera. 
The paper describes and illustrates with 26 plates 152 species belonging 
to 28 genera, and of these less than 20 species bear the names of authors 
other than Dr. Thaxter. He may be said to have established this group as 
a very important family both in respect to its systematic position and because 
of peculiarities of structure and sexual reproduction that make it particularly 
interesting. 
Dr. Thaxter has adopted a system of nomenclature such that the names 
of the twenty-five new genera have the same endings. The results are pleasing 
and the continuance of the system is greatly to be desired as new genera are 
We also express the hope that Dr. Thaxter may be allowed to describe the 
new forms which may be expected to be found all over the world. There 
is every indication that the group will prove to be a large one and only by 
great care will it be kept free from the mass of synonyms that overwhelms 
so — groups of fungi. 
_ The Laboulbeniacez are very remarkable forms in many respects. They 
are highly specialized : parasites living under peculiar conditions attached to — 
the bodies of active insects. But pistaes: ay interesting because they 
| © THaxrer, RoLaNp.—Contribution h of the Laboulbeniacee 
amen pak Hee a rian a ae "Dec. 1896. 
