46 BOOK-NOTES, NEWS, ETC. 
Philosophical Transactions (Nov.).—G. Peeves & V. H. Black- 
man, ‘ The nature of the coccospheres and rhabdospheres’ (2 pl.). 
V. H. Blackman, ‘ Cytological features of er and related 
phenomena in Pinus sylvestris’ (3 pl.). 
BOOK-NOTES, NEWS, de. 
t the meeting of the Linnean Society on Dec. 1st, Mr. ‘ 
Bien read a paper on the biology of Agaricus (Collybia) velutipes 
Pure cultures of this fungus were grown on 2 cks of sterilized 
except in size, to those found in nature. T ry up in a week or 
two, a to be dead, but then produce a second crop of 
sporophores, which may in tur duce others, either fro 
Mi reproduction, the sporophores themselves nis able to 
function as scler otia under certain conditions. On tracing the 
sence of the sporophore, it was found “that the gills were 
exposed from the first, and that the only approach to the ogee 
of a velum partiale was afforded by the hairs of the recurved marg 
of the (Pano pointing towards the stipes. It is ee ppt rl 
con 
of the 
distinct sets of hairs. As no eviden ce could be found for the 
formation of mucilage by these, it was suggested that the sliminess 
of the pileus is due to a quantity of water being held among them 
by capillarity. Microscopic examination of a series of infected 
t ; 
e 
rise to a large mycelium. The destruction of the wood is due to 
the corroding out of definite tracks in the cellulose walls of the 
os layers of the wood elements. The lignin of the middle 
amella is left unaltered even in much-diseased wood. If, however, 
xylose- viclditig substances are extracted from the blocks before 
infection, the lignin is attacked ; although: if the extracted blocks 
are treated with a dilute solution of cane- -sugar, the hyphe again 
attack the cellulose only. 
Mr. J. B. Carrutuers, who went to Ceylon in the autumn of 
1897, is expected home about the end of this month. He went out 
at the request of the Planters’ Association of oe to investigate a 
disease that was working havoc Se the cacao trees, asm much as 
fifty per cent. of the cacao crop being d uch 
oe 
