NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



811 



Agathis, Araucaria, Cunninghamia, Taxodium, Cryptomeria, Sequoia, 

 and other Conifers. Some peculiar abnormal forms are described 

 (Seqitoia, Larix). The Cycadece are shown to have no dichotomotis 

 branching, and thus differ from the Fern alliance. — G. F. S.-E. 



Gypsophila paniculata, A double. By G. T. Grignan (Bev. Hort, 

 p. 121, March 1, 1901 ; 1 illustration). —A great improvement on the 

 ordinary form ; dense masses of much larger and double pure white 

 flowers.— C. T. D. 



Haloxylon Ammodendron. By E. Ryssel (Die Gart. No. 20, 

 p. 230, February 13, 1901). — During a visit in the north of Persia, the 

 author describes the poorness of the flora, especially the absence of shrubs 

 or trees. Water is found in the plains at a depth of 15-20 metres, 

 and is usually not drinkable, as it generally contains salt, but Ha'oxylon 

 sends its long roots down (and these are usually thicker than the stem). 

 The wood is hard, heavy as iron, burns like the best English coal, and 

 is often used in place of steam coal. — G. B. 



Hamamelidaceae, Affinities Of. By Hans Hallier (Hamburg) 

 (Beih. Bot. Cent. xiv. pp. 247-260). — Discusses the affinities of this order, 

 which he considers to be a very important one genealogically. He looks 

 on the Illicice, Drimytomagnolice, Amentiflorce, Buxece, as being 

 descended from plants of this order. He even suggests an affinity with 

 Casuarina. — G. F. S.-E. 



Helipterum splendidum. By W. B. H. (Bot. Mag. t. 7983).— 

 Native of West Australia. Nat. ord. Composite ; tribe Inuloidea. An 

 annual, glabrous herb, 9 to 12 inches high. Leaves glaucous, 1^ inch 

 long, linear. Flower-heads erect ; bracts scarious in many series ; outer 

 series small, brown ; inner white, linear-lanceolate. — G. H. 



Helichrysum vestitum. By S. A. Deacon (Gard. Chron. No. 901, 

 p. 211, figs. 89 and 90, April 2, 1904).— Under the heading of " Flowers 

 for Easter Decorations " a very interesting account is given of the cultiva- 

 tion, drying, packing, and exportation to Europe of this well-known 

 " everlasting flower," which is grown in enormous quantities in a limited 

 area on the south-western coast of Cape Colony. The extent to which this 

 industry has grown recently is surprising ; huge buildings have been 

 erected in which to dry and pack the flowers, which are brought in from 

 the veld not only on the heads of women and children, but in bullock- 

 waggon loads at a time. They fetch from 5s. to 10s. a pound on the 

 Continent. They are shipped by a German firm to Hamburg in the first 

 instance. The writer says : " The huge snow-white heaps of these flowers 

 in the packing-house are a most entrancing sight. They are packed for 

 export in large paper-lined boxes made specially for the purpose, 

 measuring 5J feet long by about 4^ feet wide and deep. Every layer of 

 flowers, a foot or so deep, is pressed down by boards and weights by which 

 means 100 to 130 lb. weight of flowers is got into one of these large 

 boxes, which are carried in bullock-waggons to the nearest railway 

 station." — G. S. S. 



