1884.] - Botany. 629 
ium completely exhausted all the moisture from the living stems, 
and reduced them to tinder, afterwards forming black masses of 
compacted hyphz within the old stems. The trouble is said to 
have occurred last autumn in many parts of Ireland. 
Rep Crover in New ZrEaLanp.—We have all heard much 
said about red clover and humble-bees, and of the non-produc- 
tion of seed by the clover in New Zealand, where humble-bees 
are not found. It is interesting to read the testimony of Mr. J. 
B. Armstrong, of the Christ Church Botanic Garden, New Zea- 
land. After an extended discussion of the subject, he says in 
conclusion, “I think that we may safely assume, that the following 
facts, in connection with the fertilization of red clover in New 
Zealand are proved: 1. That no clover does produce its seeds in 
this colony. 2. That some varieties are much more fertile than 
others. 3. That there is every reason to believe, that numerous 
individuals belonging to the species are self-fertile, and that they 
produce self-fertile progeny. 4. That all the varieties show a 
tendency to produce pale-colored flowers. 5. That the common 
hive-bee, and its variety, the so-called hybrid Ligurian bee, fre- 
quently gather honey from the blossoms of the red clover, thereby, 
no doubt, aiding cross-fertilization. There is also reason to be- 
lieve that the red clover is becoming modified in its structure, so 
aS to admit the visits of insects not known to visit it in England, 
and that such modification tends to render the plant self-fertilizing, 
ut at the same time enables it to be improved in constitutional 
vigor by occasional inter-crossing.”—Gard. Chron., Nov. 17, 1883. 
BOTANICAL Nores.—Dr. Vasey’s report as botanist to the De- 
partment of Agriculture, as published in the report for 1883, is 
a to the grasses, of which twenty-five species are figured. 
'S one of the most valuable portions of the report. A recent 
fake Wy Dr. JT. Rothrock, in the Am. Journal of Pharmacy 
k ratory Contributions from the course preparatory to medicine 
the University of Pennsylvania), indicates that in at least one 
medical school in this country there is an excellent botanical 
kaea The Houghton Farm Bulletin, No. 3 (series iii), just 
vali ved, contains Professor Penhallow’s record of orchard obser- 
pea and experiments, which have a botanical as well as horti- 
a ne interest — The catalogue of the North Carolina Exhibit 
le ain [1883] contains under the head of botany and forestry 
the ogs, discs and planks which were exhibited to illustrate 
waei flora of the State. Among them we note especially a 
Y (Hex opaca), 33 inches in diameter; service-berry (Amelan- 
cen "Botanists will find many rare books advertised, for sale 
by bae rates, in a catalogue of botanical works just issued 
u & Co., 37 Soho Square, W. London, Eng. 
