1905] CURRENT LITERATURE 381 
including recent investigations in anatomy, the conclusion is reached that the 
Ranales and Helobiales are related groups; not, however, that any particular 
family in one has come from a family in the other, but that both have been differ- 
entiated from a common ancestry. HALLIER’s theory that the entire group of 
the angiosperms is monophyletic and that it has come from a Ranales-like type, 
is, according to FrrtscH, a broader conclusion than is warranted by the present 
condition of our knowledge. Since the dicotyledons show some characters more 
nearly resembling conditions found in gymnosperms, the dicotyledons should be 
sep before the monocotyledons in any scheme of classification. —C. J. CHam- 
SHIBATAS? has investigated the chemotaxis of the sperms of Isoetes. He finds 
the stimulation limit to be m/20000 malic acid. Of seventy other substances 
tested in concentrations of m/10 to M/ roo, only neutral salts of succinic, fuma- 
ric, and d-tartaric acids, which are in structure closely allied to malic acid, were 
attractive, the lower limit being m/1oo to 5m/1000. WEBER’S law was found 
applicable. The relative chemotactic effect of H-ions was found equal in various 
mineral acids and salts; similarly, OH-ions from equivalent solutions of alkalies 
acted alike. Other interesting results bear on negative chemotaxis of anions, 
Se and the nature of the reactions. The notice is a preliminary one.— 
oe Eh, 
KoERNICKES3 has reviewed several recent cytological papers, thus bringing 
his work on “The present condition of cell studies” up to date. The only impor- 
tant change of opinion noted is in regard to the occurrence of a reduction division 
in plants. The evidence given in the previous paper was against such a division, 
but in light of the more recent researches, especially those of FARMER and Moore, 
KoernIckeE believes that the evidence in favor of reduction division is gradually 
increasing. The work of Witurams, GreGorY, Lotsy, ROSENBERG, BovERI, 
Grécorre and Wycaerts, and HACKER are considered in this summary.— 
Carters J. eae ROR 
WIESNER,3+ who has lready pointed out two cases of the dropping of leaves 
which he calls Sokmnossal and Treiblaubjall, adds another, due to high 
temperature combined with drouth, which he calls Hitzelaubfall. The death 
of the leaves is due to excessive transpiration not covered by the available water. 
Naturally the peripheral leaves and especially those reached most directly by the 
sun are most affected. Observations are adduced from the author’s extended tour 
in the United States during the months of August and September.—C. R. B 
3? Surpara, K., Studien iiber die Chemotaxis von Isoetes-Spermatozoiden. Ber. 
tu 
Deutsch. Bot. Gesells. era 1904. 
33 KOERNICKE, M., Die neueren Arbeit 
anzenreich und daran pie ethos karyokinetische Probleme. 
621: 305-314. 1 990 
34 WIESNER, J., Ueber den Hitzelaubfall. Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Gesells. 22: 501-505. 
904. 
en iiber die Chromosomreduktion im 
Bot. Zeitung 
