392 BOTANICAL GAZETTE | MAY 
of Aquilegia (4), Delphinium (5), Aconitum (4), Anemone (3), Clematis (2), 
Atragene (3), Ranunculus (4), Papaver, Argemone and Bicuculla.—G, E. 
OSTERHOUT (idem 173-174) has described a new species of Hesperaster from 
Colorado.—E.size M. KupFer (dem ea be. 8), in stusies hig certain 
genera of Pezizineae, reestablishes Urnula, d 
Geopyxis and Urnula, and establishes oe new genus Chorioactis euaaan 
epee O° . . 
WILLIAM H. LanG® has been able to secure in Ceylon abundant pro- 
thallia of Ophioglossum pendulum and Helminothostachys zeylanica for study. 
The subterranean, tuberous, saprophytic character of the gametophyte of 
Ophioglossaceae is well known, and in the main these studies bear out those 
of Campbell and Jeffrey on Botrychium. In Ophioglossum the prothallium 
is usually branched, the short branches radiating in all directions; while in 
_Helminthostachys there is a lobed basal portion from which arises a cylin- 
drical process bearing the sex organs. In both an endophytic fungus is 
_ present. The antheridia and archegonia, so far as their development and 
_ structure were determined, present no new features. The author discusses 
the problematical relationships of the Ophioglossaceae, from the standpoint 
_ of the gametophyte, including its anatomy. He is inclined to believe that 
_ there are no constant characters of morphological cme that indicate affinity — 
between Debit idasecene and the Lycopodiales. On the other hand, the go 
of the prothallium, the structure of the sexual organs, and the embryogeny 
the the Ophioglossaceae are to the author such as might be expected in sap-_ 
ytic forms derived from — of the general type found assed 
Filicales. a 
In this same. connection reference should be made to the aiga-lke pe 
of Schizaea bifida, an Australian fern described by a 
_A similar prothallium has been described by Mrs. Britt 
Miss Taylor for S. pusi//a, as noted in this journal (3 : 363- 1991 al 
_ prostrate filaments give rise to erect ones that branch profusely, ising (0 # 
- height of 3-4". These prothallia differ from the well-known rw : 
ones of Trichomanes in that they are completely filamentous —_ ne 
. o venter of the archegonium being entirely free, and even 
_ base, remarkably coats the archeenee of oS in fa: 
aj MAC. 
oe “THE QUESTION | OF ABSORPTION AND EXCRETION of water 
oe foliage leaves has" been made ‘the subject of a long and 
On the. prothalli of Opkioglossum pendulum and deninttacy 
nals of Botany 16: 23-56. pls. 1-3. 1902. ee 
” dad fern eesnas - Annals of Botany 16: 165-170. sa 
& HE 
and ‘ne i 
ied series Oh 
