1879. ] : Zoblogy. 319 
HENSLOW ON THE SELF- FERTILIZATION OF PLants.—The Rev 
have gone too far to strengthen ‘the belief that intercrossing is 
absolutely necessary for plants; and that if self-fertilization be 
continued for lengthened periods the plants tend to degenerate 
and thence to ultimate extinction. is I believe to be absolutely 
false.” Mr. Henslow arrives at the following conclusions in his 
article in the Popular Science Review: “1. The majority of flow- 
ering plants can, and possibly do, fertilize themselves ery 
few plants are known to be physiologically self-sterile when the 
pollen of a flower is placed on the stigma of the same flower. 3. 
Several plants are known to be morphologically self-sterile in that 
the pollen cannot, without aid, reach the stigma, but is effective 
on that of the same flower. 4. Self-sterile plants from both the 
above causes can become self-fertile. 5. Highly self-fertile forms 
arise under cultivation. 6. Special adaptations occur for 
self-fertilization.” 
CONTRACTION OF LEAVES OF SENSITIVE PLAnts.—In Sir J.D 
Hooker’s recent address as President of the Royal Society, it is 
stated that Dr. Burdon Sanderson has for two years past n 
excitable parenchyma which causes the eae atte is entirely 
different from that of muscular contraction, yet that the corres- 
pondence between the exciting process in the ian tissues and 
what represents this in the plant tissues appears to be more com- 
plete the more carefully the comparison is made; and that whether 
the stimulus be mechanical, thermal, or electrical, its effects cor- 
respond in each case. Again, the excitation is propagated from 
the point of excitation to distant points in the order of their re- 
moteness, and the degree to which the structure is excited depends 
upon its temperature. Notwithstanding, however, the striking 
analogies between the electrical properties of the cells of Dionæa 
and of muscle-cylinders, Dr. Burdon Sanderson is wholly unable 
to admit with Prof. Munk that these structures are in this respect 
comparable. 
ZOOLOGY. * 
Discovery or MALE EELS. —We are glad to state that finally 
the ‘supposed nae were afterward again examined, by Prof. 
*The departments of Ornithology and Mammalogy are conducted by Dr. ELLIOTT 
Coves, U. S. A. 
