318 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [APRIL 
types and a taxonomic presentation of the group, in which Gnetopsis elliptica 
is placed provisionally with Conostomum in the ‘‘Conostomeae.”’ brief 
discussion of the “pollination mechanisms”? of the Lagenostomales calls 
attention to the three distinct types exhibited by the group: that in which 
the free but approximated lobes of the integument surrounded and over- 
topped the pollen chamber and probably at pollination formed a funnel (Phy- 
sostoma); that in which a massive ‘‘canopy” was pierced by a long micropyle 
(Conostoma); and that in which the compact canopy closely invested the 
conical pollen chamber, whose orifice reached to the outer surface (Lagenostoma). 
A glossary is provided at the close of the paper, since such terms as the “blow- 
off layer,” “lagenostome,” and “ plinth” are not easily separated from the 
well-worn terms heretofore applied to the same structures.—J. M. C. 
Anatomy of Azolla——Queva* has investigated the vascular anatomy of 
Azolla filiculoides, and has secured some interesting facts. The vascular 
elements are differentiated in the floating, dorsiventral stem, those of the 
dorsal region being tracheids of small caliber, and those of the ventral region 
being vessels of large caliber. The transverse section of the xylem is circular, 
©» the circle being incomplete alternately on the right and left sides in the dorsal 
region; so that the section is really an arc which is open alternately right and 
left, corresponding to the alternating leaf traces. The heavy vessels of the 
ventral region are connected exclusively with the roots. The interpretation 
suggested is that the dorsal group of vessels represents a reduced bipolar grouP, 
connected at the poles with leaf traces; and that the ventral group is merely 
an “apolar” mass related to the roots. The amount of vascular tissue retained 
would seem to be a remarkable feature in a stem with such an extremely hydro- 
phytic habit.—J. M. C. 
Germination of Helianthus.—Miirr*’ has studied the transformations 
of the reserve materials of the sunflower during germination. e work 
shows both chemical and biological excellence. Main emphasis is put upon the 
transformation of fats. The fats extracted from the cotyledons show low 
acid values at all times, while those from the hypocotyl very early, and con- 
tinuously thereafter, show high acid values. It was not determined whether 
the fats are translocated as such or as hydrolyzed products. The iodine value 
absorption of oxygen. As germination progresses, the fats decrease es see 
rapidly, while the carbohydrates increase. This furnishes further evidence 
for the established view that during germination fats are transformed to 
carbohydrates.—WILLIAM CROCKER. 
_ *Queva, C., L’Azolla filiculoides Lam., étude anatomique. Mém. Soc. Hist 
Nat. Autun 23: pp. 24. figs. 22. 1910. 
*Mitter, Epwin C., A physiological study of the germination of Helia 
annuus. Annals of Botany 24:693-726. IgI0. 
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