Notes on scientific research. 121 



Frequently the macchia and phrygana are pierced by glades in which numerous 

 bushes and herbs have taken root and which are particularly rich in the sweet-smelling 

 varieties of the species Rubacece and Labiatce. In the same manner as on the Riviera 

 one observes extensive surfaces in Western and Southern Asia Minor covered by 

 lavender-bushes and species of sage and rue. Lavandula Stmchas is especially frequent. 

 In the dry beds of rivers and streams, oleander (Vitex agnus castusj, tamarisks, etc. 

 are to be found. 



Krause mentions myrtles as the most important aromatic bushes of Asia Minor. 

 In the interior and in the North, it is quite absent. 



In spite of its being so common it is hardly utilized at all in most parts of Asia 

 Minor. The Turkish term for it is "mersin" or "mirsin" and the name of the town of 

 Mersina gives proof of its occurrence there. The laurel bush (Turkish "dafne" or "define") 

 has about the same range of dissemination as myrtles have. 



Roses which the Turks, being great lovers of nature and horticulturalists, cultivate 

 everywhere *), are not used for the preparation of rose oil or rose water, but rather 

 for the manufacture of a kind of sweet-meat. 



Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is much less frequently cultivated as a garden plant 

 than roses. 



Lemons, oranges and bitter oranges are regarded as much more important objects 

 for cultivation. 



Lavender has been collected in Asia Minor from time immemorial and in the 

 height of summer in the streets and squares one often sees the lavender sellers laden 

 with big baskets in which they offer their produce for sale, tied up in bunshes or bundles. 



On the Phoma-diseasG of lavender, vide page 27. 



On a new Sty r ax-species, S. Siamensis, Rordorf, vide page 89 of this Report. 



On the botanical investigations of the vanilla-species found on Tahiti, vide page 101 

 of this Report. 



Phyto-physiological Notes. 



Experimental investigations on the physiological and biological importance of volatile 

 oils and flower scents. — Although we do not yet know what physiological and biological 

 importance must be ascribed to volatile oils and flower scents, some ideas have indeed 

 been ventilated on this subject; however, they have been found in the main to be 

 erroneous. Such suppositions are that volatile oils protect plants from animal attacks, 

 or from too great loss of temperature at night, or from excessive evaporation during 

 the day, or that the strong odour attracts insects, £jc. K. von Frisch 2 ) has now arrived 

 at the conclusion, based on his most recent investigations, that neither the scent nor 

 the coulour of the plants can be regarded as enticement, but rather as guidance. It 

 goes without saying that the scent of a bush in full bloom or of a whole field of 

 sweet-smelling flowers may attract bees from a distance, especially when the wind is 

 favourable, but the determing factor is not the odour of the plants, but their colour. 

 In one respect, however, the former is superior to the latter, namely in its greater variety. 



Von Frisch employed for his experiments little cardboard boxes (measuring 

 10X10X10 cm.) which at the front just above the bottom were fitted up with a hole 



l ) Vide p. 47 of this Report. — -) Verhcmdlungen der k. I: zoologisch-hotanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 65 

 (1915), Heft 1 bis 2; Naturwissenschaftliche Wochenschrift 31 (1916), 250. 



