﻿CURRENT LITERATURE 



77 



usually small. The reaction is regulated by the salts of weak acids and bases 

 present, and by the removal of acids by the lungs and kidneys. 



The methods for measuring hydrogen ion concentration are taken up in 

 the third part. Those based on the measurement of reaction velocity are 

 omitted, as they are practically useless in biological work. The gas chain 

 method is treated very thoroughly from the theoretical and practical points of 

 view, and the formulae and tables given make the book an excellent laboratory 

 guide for carrying out these measurements. The discussion of the indicator 

 method is somewhat less complete. Methods for preparing solutions of a 

 definite hydrogen ion concentration, a method for carrying out transfer experi- 

 ments with colloids, and a complete bibliography are appended. 



The work done in this field has been limited almost entirely to animal 

 processes. Undoubtedly this factor is of importance in the plant as well, and 

 investigations in this direction should furnish valuable additions to our knowl- 

 edge of plant processes. — Thomas G. Phillips. 



NOTES FOR STUDENTS 

 Current taxonomic literature.— 0. Ames (Philipp. Jour. Sci. Bot. 9:11- 

 16. 1 9 14) under the title "Orchids of Guam" has published 8 new species.— H. 

 Andres (Oesterr. Bot. Zeits. 64:232-255. 1914) in continuation of his studies 

 on the Pirolaceae records further important data on this group.— G. Arnaud 

 (Bull. Soc. Myc. France 30:355-360. pis. 17-19- 1914) in an article discussing 

 the genus Henriquesia characterizes a new genus {Castagnella) of the Dothidea- 

 ceae, which is found on branches of Quercus coccifera.~E. G. Baker (Jour. 

 Linn. Soc. 42:241-246. pis. 9-14. 1914) gives a synopsis of the "African 

 species of Crolalaria." The author recognizes 309 species, several of which 

 are new to science.— I. W. Balfour and W. W. Smith (Notes Roy. Bot. 

 Gard. Edinb. 8:191. 191 4) have published a new genus (Kingdonia) of the 

 Ranunculaceae from China.— H. H. Bartlett (Cybele Columbiana 1:37-56. 

 pis. 1-5. 1914) characterizes 12 new elementary species of Onagra.—O. Bec- 

 cari (Webbia 4: 293-385. 1914) under the title "Studio sui Borassus" includes 

 the description of a new genus of palms {Borassodendron) based on Borassus 

 Machadonis Beec. from the Malayan Peninsula.— R. E. Benedict (Bull. 

 Torr. Bot. Club 41:291-410. pi. 20. 1914) presents a revision of the genus 

 Vittaria in which 7 species are recognized, 2 being new to science.— A. Bennett 

 (Philipp. Jour. Sci. Bot. 9=339-344- I 9 I 4) records one new species of Potamo- 

 geton and a new hybrid from the Philippine Islands.— A. Bequtnot and N. 

 Belosersky (Atti de' Lincei.— Mem. CI. sc. fisiche ecc. Ser. 5". 9=595-734 

 [1-144]. pis. 1-12. 19 13) have published a monographic revision of the genus 

 Apocynum, recognizing 26 species of which 4 from the eastern United States 

 are described as new.— E. P. Bicknell (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 41:411-427. 

 1914) in continuation of his studies on the flowering plants of Nantucket 

 includes the Clethraceae , Pyrolaceae, and Ericaceae. New species are recorded 



