Botany and Zoology. 161 



2. Effects of certain poisons on the germination of seeds. 

 Ch. Coenevin (Comptes rendus, Aug. 3, 1891). — The author in- 

 vestigated the effect of a toxic extract of certain seeds upon the 

 germination of the seeds of that species. For this series, Sapo- 

 nine, which abounds in Agrostemma Githago, and Cytisine, in 

 the seeds of Cytisus Laburnum, were made to act for from six to 

 forty-eight hours on the seeds of the respective plants, by the 

 side of unpoisoned seeds used for control. These poisons did not 

 hinder the progress of germination. 



A second series was designed to determine the effects of poisons 

 originating in some other part of the plant on the germination of 

 seeds of that species. Nicotine from tobacco, and opium from 

 the poppy were employed. Seeds of tobacco immersed in a solu- 

 tion of nicotine, 1 : 150, were retarded for 48 hours in their germi- 

 nation. On the other hand, opium appeared to hasten the germi- 

 nation of the seeds of the poppy, but further examination showed 

 that the complex substance should be studied with reference to 

 its constituents. Three alkaloids hastened the germination, 

 namely, narcotine, codeine, and narceine; while two had no 

 effect, morphine and thebaine; and one retarded the process, 

 papaverine. G. l. g. 



3. Proofs of land-communication between Europe and America 

 during the "modem" age of the earth. — M. Emile Blanchard 

 (Comtes rendus, July 20, 1891), cites numerous examples of or- 

 ganisms common to the two continents, and appeals to these as 

 proofs that the continents were formerly united together in a 

 line drawn from Scotland through Iceland to Greenland. The 

 plants which he enumerates are certain Anemones, Cruciferce, 

 Violets, Stellarias, numerous Rosacea^, especially Spiraeas and 

 Potentillas. Further, are to be mentioned many Saxifrages, Epi- 

 lobiums, and Caprifoliacece. Scrophulariacew, Labiatai, Borra- 

 ginacea3, and Gentianaceaz, among herbs : Alders, Willows, and 

 Junipers, and the Yew, among aborescent forms. It will be 

 observed that M. Blanchard carries his list much beyond the 

 ordinary limits of the boreal species common to both continents. 

 There is nothing particularly new in the view expressed, but the 

 illustrations are many and to the point. Besides the species of 

 plants, he mentions a large number of insects, fishes, and quad- 

 rupeds, which exist in specific identity on both sides of the 

 Atlantic. g. l. g. 



4. Comparative Anatomy of Plants. — Ad. Chatin, in pre- 

 senting to the French Academy the last fascicle of his histology 

 of Phanerogamous Parasites, calls attention to the date of the 

 beginning of his researches. The original Thesis was propounded 

 in 1840, and the present work, based thereon, was begun in 1854. 

 The parts have been issued at intervals ever since, and have main- 

 tained throughout a definite character of their own. A work cov- 

 ering so long a period, and developed under the diverse influences 

 of different phases of scientific thought must always possess a 

 peculiar historical interest. The author began his work when 



