Botany and Zoology. 431 
noticed here. The new character unexpectedly brought to light is that 
of the position in the acorn of the five atrophied ovules as respects the 
seed, or kernel, which results from the fertilization of the sixth ovule, the 
only one which ever matures. eCandolle shows that the aborted ovules 
do not disappear as the fruit grows, but persist, just as they are well 
known to do in the Horse-chestnut and Buckeye, and that they may be 
found in the ripe acorn upon examination. It appears that the ovules in 
the seed. Moreover, all the Oaks which mature their fruit the first year. 
bear their atrophied ovules at the base of the seed, or at least below its 
middie. Oaks of biennial maturation are divided in this respect, some 
; having these ovules below, others above; but most of the North Amer- 
case of the two Cork Oaks, so in general, it is not coérdinated with other 
important differences, and therefore it serves merely to distinguish related 
anus 
group in which the ovules are inferior. ; 
_DeCandolle notices a peculiarity in the embryo of our Live Oak (Q. 
the Old World 
amined in this respect, apparently to determin 
of two ‘ 
could have little doubt; but we solicit fresh acorns of the coming season, 
posts. A. G, 
riation, Geographical Distribution, and 
Succession.— Etude sur UEspéce, & Voccasion d'une Revision de la Fam- 
Selle, and separately issued as a pamphlet. A less inspiring task cou 
hardly be assigned to a botani : ne 
Sent Quercus and its allies. The vast materials assembled under De- 
Candolle’s hands, while disheartening for their bulk, offered smal] hope 
novelty, The subject was both extremely trite and extremely difficult. 
