1914] CURRENT LITERATURE 343 
certain to infect starchy food under suitable moisture conditions, the suspicion 
is suggested that it may be related to certain destructive diseases of stock, such 
as pellagra (“corn-stalk disease”). Experiments are being conducted to dis- 
cover the nature of the toxin and its possible relation to such diseases.—J. M. C. 
A new form of Juglans.—Baxcock* has investigated a new form of Juglans 
californica and described it as var. quercina, on account of the resemblance z 
its leaves to those of an oak. The new form has appeared on seven separa 
occasions among seedlings of at least three different trees of J. I OR 
Three working hypotheses were tested experimentally, the conclusions being 
vascular anatomy of the rootstock of Hoes species of Platycerium, uncovering 
i i icated 
. Comparatively simple type to a more complicated one. This anatomical 
Structure certainly suggests a comparison with the Marattiaceae and the 
Preris-like forms.—J. M. C. 
Mosses of New Zealand.—Drxon* has begun a publication of a series of 
Studies of the mosses of New Zealand, especially with reference to the her- 
barium of Ropert BROWN at Christchurch. The first part contains a revision 
of the species of Dicranoloma, 16 species being recognized, 5 of which are 
described as new. These species have heretofore been included under Dicra- 
num, and Dixon follows RENAULD’S treatment of this group as a separate 
genus.—J. M. C 
Medullosa pusilla.—In his Studies in fossil botany (1909), Scott referred to 
4 very small Medullosa closely resembling the well known M. anglica except in 
Size. He named it provisionally M. pusilla, and now has given a further 
account, with illustrations.s3 Further r study shows that it differs in no impor- 
tant respect from M. anglica, and that its chief interest probably lies in the 
fact that it is the smallest Medullosa on record.—J. M. C. 
DS ec neg eee 
* Bascock, Ernest B., Studies in Juglans I: ae of a new form of Juglans 
s-spsmbil ten. Univ. Calif. Publ. Agric. Sci. 2:1-46. pls. I-12. 1913- 
N N, Harriet E., On the vascular anatomy ig the rhizome cu Platycerium. 
ew. oe 12:311-321. figs. 5. 1913. 
* Dixon, H. N., Studies in the bryology of New Zealand, with special gorges 
fg repeomeg of Robert Brown, Part I. New Zealand Inst. Bull. no. 3. 
ors 0 H., On Medullosa pusilla. Proc. Roy. Soc. London B 87: 221-228. 
él. a fe 2. 1914. 
