248 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [SEPTEMBER 
ture shows that our knowledge of the ecology of these plants has advanced 
but little beyond the observations recorded by JoHN Ray? more than two 
centuries ago.—GeEo. D. FULLER 
Syndiploid nuclei.—Nuclear figures in chloralized root tips, described by 
NEMEC, then by STRASBURGER, and then discussed and figured at some length 
in NEmec’s recent book on fertilization, have been reinvestigated by STRAS- 
BURGER.” He used again the root tips of Piswm sativum, and made a critical 
comparison of the nuclear figures in normal and chloralized tips, and compared 
the peculiar mitoses of syndiploid nuclei with the normal heterotypic mitoses 
of the same species. He agrees with NEMec that the syndiploid nuclei grad- 
ually disappear, but denies that any heterotypic mitoses are concerned in the 
disappearance. NEmec’s figures, intended to support the theory of a somatic 
heterotypic mitosis, are discussed and explained as only peculiar vegetative 
mitoses, with merely superficial resemblances to genuine reduction divisions. 
—CHARLES J. CHAMBERLAIN 
Structure of protoplasm.—During the last decade cytologists have been 
so busy with various phases of the chromosome problem that little attention 
has been given to the structure of protoplasm. A preliminary announcement 
by LEpPESCHKIN* is entitled ‘On the structure of protoplasm,” but this paper 
deals with artificial emulsions rather than with protoplasm itself. e prin- 
cipal conclusion is that streaming protoplasm cannot have the foam structure 
described by Btitscuir, but rather has the structure of an emulsion. He 
admits that the peripheral layers of protoplasm in infusoria may have a foam 
structure.—CHARLES J. CHAMBERLAIN. 
Peat bogs in Iowa.—A comparison has been made by PAMMEL* between 
the t bogs of northern Iowa and those occurring in other parts of the 
United States. The principal types found in this state are the aspen bog, 
ow bog, sedge bog, and rush bog, none having a very extensive develop- 
ment. The sphagnum bog is conspicuously absent. A detailed comparison 
of the bog flora of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan shows that in Iowa many 
of the typical bog plants of more northern regions are replaced by others of 
a very different character—Gero. D. FuLter. 
3? Ray, JoHN, History of plants. Vol. I, p. 185. 1686. 
4° STRASBURGER, EpuArp, Kernteilungsbilder bei der Erbse. Flora 10221~-23. 
pl. 1. 1911 
4* LEPESCHKIN, W. W., Ueber die Struktur des Protoplasmas. Ber. Deutsch. 
Bot. Gesells. 29:181-190. 1911. 
# PAMMEL, L. H., Flora of northern Iowa peat bogs. Iowa Geol. Survey 19: 
739-784. 1909. 
