Q2 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [JANUARY 
acid is first split off from the organic compound by means of enzymes. This 
suggestion is strengthened by the facts that IvANorF has prepared an enzyme 
from this mold which decomposes nucleic acid with the liberation of phos- 
phoric acid, and the author himself has shown the presence in another mold 
of an enyzme capable of hydrolyzing casein ——H. HASSELBRING. 
Current taxonomic literature—O. Ames (Phil. Journ. Sci. Bot. 
721-27. 1912) in continuation of his studies in the Orchidaceae has published 
27 new species of orchids from the Philippine Islands.—O. BEeccari (Pomono 
ot. 
paper. One new species is added to the genus shane namely O. princeps. 
—C. H. BissEvt and M. L. Fernatp (Rhodora 14:91, 92. 1912) record a new 
variety of Lespedeza (L. capitata var. stenophylla) oe illinois and Connecticut. 
BITTER (Rep. Sp. Nov. 10:489-so01. 1912) places on record supplementary 
data to his recent monograph of the genus Acaena and includes descriptions of 
new varieties from Central and South America. The same author (ibid 
520-565) under the title “Solana nova vel minus cognita I’’ has published 36 
new species of Solanum also from Central and South America.—S. F. BLAKE 
(Rhodora 14:102-106. pl. 94. 1912) characterizes several new forms of 
Peltandra virginica.—E. BRAINERD (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 39:85-97- pls. 5-7: 
1912) presents an interesting article on “Violet hybrids between species of the 
palmata group,” recording several new hybrids in the genus.—A. B RAND (Univ. 
Calif. Pub. Bot. 4:209-227. 1912) presents a preliminary consideration of the 
Hydrophyllaceae of the Sierra Nevada region. Several new varieties = 
forms are described and certain changes in nomenclature are made. The sam 
author (Phil. Journ. Sci. Bot. 7:29-36. 1912) records the results of ae 
eee on the Symplocaceae of the Philippine Islands, adds 3 new species 
ymplocos, and gives a revised key to the 26 recognized Philippine species of 
a. genus.—T. S. BRANDEGEE (Univ. Calif. Pub. Bot. 4: 269-281. 1912) under 
Weick ei :139-143. 1911) describes 6 new species of Nitella, 2 of which are from 
Costa Rica.—J. Broapuurst (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 39: 257-278. pls. 21, 22. 
IQI 2) — the title “The genus Struthiopteris and its representatives in North 
Am ’ gives a revision of the genus, recognizing 9 species, of which 2 are 
new to science——J. Burtt-Davy and R. Port-LeenpErtz (Ann. Transvaal 
Mus. 3:119-182. 1912) have issued a check list of the flowering plants and 
ferns of the Transvaal and Swaziland. Approximately ak species are 
enumerated, representing 920 genera and 157 families—E. J. BUTLER (Ann. 
Botany 25:1023-1035. 1911) describes and illustrates a new genus cieEe species 
(Allomyces arbuscula) of the Leptomitaceae from India.—E. CLAASSEN (Ohio 
Nat. 12:543-548. 1912) records about 125 species and varieties of lichens from 
