232 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [OCTOBER 
Crotalaria (C. burhria) which differs from anything previously described. 
The plant has a very long tap root, and when about a year old the axis becomes 
ribbed, the ribs beginning at the transition region between stem and root and 
extending in both directions. The ribbing is associated with the development 
of an accessory bundle system, and the gradual separation of branches which 
become established as separate plants. In this way, ‘‘when the main axis 
perishes, a circle of branches separated to below the ground level is already 
established.” It was also observed that although the plant iby during most 
of the year, it seems seldom to develop seeds.—J. M. C. 
Sexual evolution.—ScHAFFNER*’ has presented his conception of the evolu- 
tionary stages of sexual expression, defining what may be called twenty-three 
steps in evolutionary progress, each one illustrated by examples. He is con- 
vinced that sex “‘cannot be associated primarily with special chromosomes.” 
The general conclusion is reached that ‘the specific structures and functions 
developed in the ontogeny of an organism appear to be conditioned on the 
interaction of four fundamental influences: (1) hereditary factors, (2) influence 
of environment, (3) progression of senility, and (4) presence of sexual states 
in the living substance.”—J. M. C. 
Mesozoic flora.—Brrry’s® fourteenth contribution to the Mesozoic flora 
of the Atlantic coastal plain deals with the floras of the Eutaw and Ripley 
formations. The article comprises an advance paper of the fuller material 
to be described and illustrated in a professional paper of the United States 
Survey (no. 112) which has meanwhile appeared. The larger publication 
includes the Tuscaloosa formation besides the two groups mentioned.— 
A. C. Nok. 
North American flora.—Part I of volume 6 begins the presentation of 
Phyllostictales by SEAveR. This ordinal name is used in place of Sphaeropsid- 
ales, use the generic name Sphaeropsis “goes out of the order,” and the 
ordinal name becomes untenable. In this first part the genus Phyllosticta is 
presented, 300 species being recognized, only three of which are described as 
new.—J. 
Fossil woods of Queensland.—SAuni® describes and gives microphoto- 
graphs of a number of fossil woods which range from fern stems throug 
gymnosperms to angiosperms. The paper is a valuable contribution to the 
study of Mesozoic woods.—. Nok 
31 SCHAFFNER, J. H., sensi of sexual evolution in the plant kingdom. 
Ohio Jour. Sci. 3 32: IOI-113. 
38 Berry, E. W., Stare sts to the Mesozoic i me the Atlantic coastal 
plain. XIV. Tennessee. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 48:55—72. 
# Saunt, Brepat, Petrified plant remains from the es ae Mesozoic and 
Tenay formations. Queensland Geol. Survey. Publ. no. 267. pp. 48. pls. 5. figs 10- 
