ABSTRACTS. 



245 



.A. Lorrain Smith {Journ. Bot. 457, p. 33 ; figs. ; January 1901). — The 

 , bacterium has been named Pscudomonas destructans. — G. S. B. 



Tutu {Coriaria spp.), Pt. 1. By T. H. Easterfield {N. Z. Dep. Acjri. 8th 

 Rep., pp. 137-142, with two plates ; 1900). — Coriaria ruscifolia ("tree toot") 

 and C. thymifolia ground toot "), collectively known as the tutu " by 

 the Maoris, have been systematically investigated by Professor Easterfield, 

 and found to contain a highly poisonous glucoside, for which the name 

 *' tutin " is suggested. So great is its toxic power that a full-grown cat 

 was killed by 0-05 grain, a pig by 2 grains, and a small dose, estimated at 

 about 0*01 grain, caused sickness and incapacity for work extending over 

 twenty-four hours in a full-grown man. The damage done to stock by 

 these plants is enormous ; indeed, the existence of such a succulent shrub 

 upon the coast was one of the most formidable obstacles to the stocking 

 • of New Zealand with sheep and cattle. The animals brought in by 

 Captain Cook in both his voyages died in what to him was an unaccount- 

 able manner, but, as Lauder Lindsay has pointed out, the general 

 description of the symptoms leaves little doubt that they died of " toot " 

 poisoning. The distribution and economic value of the Coriari.^: are 

 also set forth. — R. N. 



Umbelliferae of Chile— A Rejoinder. By K. Reiche {Engl Bot. 

 Jahrb. xxx. Beibl. 67, pp. 21-23 ; 12/3/ 1901).— A reply to Dr. Urban's 

 criticism on the author's paper on Chilian Umbelliferje, chiefly relating to 

 the supposed occurence of Micro2)lcura on the island of Chiloe. — .4. B. B. 

 Remarks on the Foregroing* Rejoinder. By I. Urban (Engl Bot. 

 Jahrb. xxx. Beibl. 67, pp. 24-26).—^. B. B. 



Uredines, Biology of Certain. By Dr. Plowright {Bull. Soc, 



Myc. dc Fr. xvii. Fasc. 1, 1901, p. 97). — Chiefly concerns experiments 

 with aecidiospores of Berber is vulgaris, and certain grasses. — 3/. C. C. 



Uredines, Nuclear Evolution, and Sexuality. By Rene Maire 



{Btdl. Soc. Myc. de Fr. xvii. Fasc. 1, 1901, p. 88). — Extract from com- 

 munication to the Botanical Congress, and published in extenso in the 

 volume of " Acts of the Congress." Technical and confused, of little 

 horticultural interest. — M. C. C. 



Ursinia brevicaulis, Wood & Evans. By J. Medley Wood and 

 M. S. Evans {Journ. Bot. 461, p. 172 ; May 1901).— Description of new 

 species, from Report of Natal Botanic Gardens for 1900. — G. S. B. 



Valeriana arizonica. By M. T. M {Gard. Chron. p. 198 ; fig. 75 ; 

 30/3/1901).— Described and figured.— G. S. S. 



Vegetables, Early, in Alg-iers, for Export {Jour. Soc. Nat. 

 Hort. Fr. ; February 1901). — ]\lost of the early Potatos are the English 

 varieties. Early Peas, Tomatos, and Artichokes are the leading articles 

 grown. — G. P. 



