324 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [OCTOBER 
this early stage two pairs are noticeably larger than the rest, and the differ- 
ence becomes more pronounced as the chromosomes become arranged in the 
equatorial plate. The usual number of chromosomes is 28, but it is often 
higher. In the mother cells there are constantly 14 bivalent chromosomes, or 
gemini, one pair constantly larger than the rest. While zoologists are assign- 
ing the large chromosome a particular function in the determination of sex, 
it is too early to make any statement for plants. At present what is needed 
is extensive investigation along the lines of the present paper.—CHARLES J. 
HAMBERLAIN. 
Crown gall and sarcoma.—lIn a recent review" of the bulletin on crown 
gall by Suit, Brown, and TowNseEND, attention was called to the resem- 
blance of the crown gall tumors to certain malignant animal tumors. SMITH 
has now issued a brief circular” to announce the discovery of further evidence 
of this resemblance. The bacterium causing the primary tumor occurs also 
in the secondary tumors, associated with the tumor cells, the conclusion 
being that this is not a disease which —— itself independently of the 
inciting organism. Furthermore, “tum rands” were observed connect- 
ing primary and secondary tumors, ‘alee Sars tat from the pri- 
mary tumor which wedge their way through stems and leaves like foreign 
bodies and give rise to secondary tumors, which subsequently rupture through 
to the surface of the plant. The full details, with illustrations, are promise 
in another bulletin —J. M. C 
Symposium on reproduction."*"—At the meeting of the Botanical Society 
of America held at Boston, December 27-31, 1909, a symposium on the nuclear 
phenomena of sexual reproduction was one of the features. Dr. Davis dis- 
ARPER, CHAMBERLAIN, and Morrter discussed the subject in the fungi, 
gymnosperms, and angiosperms respectively. No new investigations were 
presented, since the object was not to record the results of recent personal 
research, but rather to present the subject in such a way as to make it helpful 
to the botanical public, and to stimulate and facilitate research in the various 
phases of the problem. Naturally, the principal emphasis was laid on fer- 
tilization and reduction of chromosomes. No serious differences of opinion 
appeared, except in regard to alternation of generations.—CHARLES J. CHAM- 
BERLAIN 
™ BOT. GAL, S3576:: c6tx. 
7 SMitH, ERwin F., Crown gall and sarcoma. U.S. Depart. Agric., Bur. Pl. Ind., 
Circular no. 85. pp. 4. June 20, 1911 
* Davis, B. M., Harper, R. A., CHAMBERLAIN, CHARLES J., and MOTTIER, 
D. M., Necicat viisnpehesa of sexual reproduction in thallophytes oe spermato- 
phytes. Publication 45 of The Botanical Society of America. Reprinted from the 
Anica Naturalist of June, July, September, and October, rgto. 
