1918] CURRENT LITERATURE 489 
on these hybrids and K6HLREUTER and GARTNER succeeded in getting hybrids 
experimentally. It is claimed that at the present time over 100 hybrids have 
been observed in this genus. BLomavist® has made observations on Verbas- 
cum hybrids growing in the Swedish Royal Botanical Garden at Bergielund. 
Among the various species growing there, he discovered in 1908 eight individ- 
uals which he claims were hybrids in the following combinations: V. nigrum 
thapsus (4), V. nigrum X phlomoides (1), V. nigrum Xlychnitis (1), and V. 
longifoliumX speciosum (2). His marks of identification were the sterile con- 
ditions and the intermediate forms of characters between two species. He 
made a special study of the two individuals which he calls V. longifoliumX 
speciosum, since such a hybrid had not previously been discussed in botanical 
literature. These two examples show, in general, intermediate forms in the 
specific characters of the parents, except in the size of the flowers, which are 
markedly larger in the hybrids than in either of the parents. From his obser- 
vations BLOMQVIST comes to a partial agreement with ScHIFFNER in that 
hybrids are intermediate in form between the parents; but he finds, as did 
DeVries, that while hybrids as a rule-show such forms they may take on 
an exact resemblance to either parent or any transition form between. 
The reviewer is of the opinion that, in the study of hybrids, simple obser- 
vation does not suffice, since methods used in identification cannot give assur- 
ance of what hybrid is dealt with, and that such work should be checked up 
by experimentation.—Huco L. Biomguist. 
Edible and poisonous mushrooms.—A generation ago Illinois took a very 
advanced position in the study of its fungous flora, and the late Professor 
Burritt and his students have ranked among the foremost students of economic 
mycology in the country. The present publication,’ paralleling what 
been done in other states, is the first of its kind referring to an importan 
neglected, and much misunderstood branch of the same general subject, he 
fungi of Illinois which may be used as food or which should be known because 
of the danger which — esting them. Structure, life history, and ecological . 
relations are given amp tion for an understanding of the fleshy fungi 
in more than their perfunctory recognition as fit or unfit for human food, and 
chapters are devoted to their cultivation, food value, or poisonous properties, 
and to the ways in which edible species may be prepared for the table. 
The most practically useful part of the treatise, which should lead to the 
avoidance of accidents due to ignorance, and the utilization of large quantities 
of excellent food which now goes to waste, will be found in the clean cut keys 
and well written descriptions by which the several kinds may be known, and 
% BLtomovist S. G., sree ysiondamerns sirskildt V. longifolium X speciosum. 
Acta Horti Bergiani 5:1—10. figs. 
CDouGaLL, WALTER B., pei edible and poisonous mushrooms. Bull. Til. 
Sisse Lab. Nat. Hist. 13:413-555. pls. 85-143. fig. I. 1917. 
