312 BOTANICAL GAZETTE ict 
resulting embryo is really a case of sporophytic (somatic) budding. In such 
cases the reduction of the primitive process of exogamous fertilization is complete; 
the mingling of different characters, the stimulus to development, and the doubling 
of chromosomes all having disappeared.—J. M. C. 
Bray? finds that according to their character and distribution the forests of 
Texas are to be classified as the east Texas timber belt, the timbered area of 
Edwards plateau, the live oak timber belt, the Rio Grande plain chaparral, the 
mesquite, and the timber of the Cordilleran region. According to the habitat of 
its different components, the eastern timber belt is subdivided into the following 
types: the swamp and bayou forests, the hardwood forests of the alluvial bottoms, 
the mixed hardwood forest of the interior of the coast plain, the long-leaf forests 
of the Fayette prairie, and the hardwood and short-leaf forests of the lignitic belt. 
Under each of these headings follows a brief but very careful analysis of the factors 
determining the present condition of the tree growth in each forest type. From 
the economic standpoint the bulletin shows that only ro per cent. of the entire area 
of Texas is covered with a merchantable forest; 125,000 acres, yielding nearly & 
billion feet of lumber, are being-cut over annually. The timber is cut in such a 
way that the land does not reproduce valuable forests. ‘The author gives valuable 
and timely suggestions in regard to forest management both for private owners and 
for the state. ‘ A 
The same author? has studied the forests of the Edwards plateau err 
reference to their relation to the water supply. The plateau is com wie 
stone, and the naturally high water-absorbing capacity of the rock is enhanced 
by the position of the strata and by the numerous extensive fissures and pe 
Thus the region forms a vast catchment area for the water which supplies 
agricultural lands below. The rapid collection and run-off of the waters ” 
the bare slopes cause frequent disastrous floods. The writer shows how ae 
the slopes with tree growth (which is rapidly taking place naturally) pian 
reduce both the frequence and the eroding power of the floods. by eee 
the waters of the plateau in this manner they could be used to irr gate the 
arid lands of adjacent plains. State ownership for this purpose Is wpe 
These two bulletins are valuable contributions to our knowledge yee in 
relations of trees, and they demonstrate the value of careful ecolo sit 
dealing with certain problems of practical forestry —CLIFTON D. Hom 
Bull. Herb. 
ITEMS OF TAXONOMIC INTEREST ARE As FoLLows: Cart Mez (B Geieis 
liaceae 10 
Boiss. II. 4:619-634. 1904) has published new species of Brome ceemen (idem 
Aechmea (2), Billbergia, Pitcairnia (9), and Puya Gms Ph 
Oe ms ic., Bureau of 
32 Bray, Witt1AM L., Forest resources of Texas. U. S. Dept. Agne 
Forestry. Bull. no. 47. 1904. j i 
5 1ts 
33 Bray, Witt1aM L., The timber of the Edwards plateau e aie Bull 
to climate, water supply, and soil. U. S. Dept. Agric. Bureau © 
NO. 49, 1904. 
