NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



925 



by Tr i folium rcpens. This consists essentially in an atrophy of the 

 stamens, and a transformation, more or less pronounced, of the sepals, 

 petals, and carpels into green, foliaceous leaves. Although teratological 

 literature abounds with references to this monstrosity, its cause remained 

 undetermined up to the present. The author has, however, succeeeded in 

 clearing up this point, and has shown that the monstrosity is due to the 

 presence of the larva of an insect in the stem, probably that of Hylastinus 

 obscurus, Marsh. The larva forms galleries in the pith from the stock 

 upwards. Here and there the larva penetrates between two fibro-vascular 

 bundles to feed on the cortical tissue. The disturbance caused by the 

 work of the larva, the filling- up of the vessels of the plant by gum, &c, 

 prevents the circulation of the sap, and thus modifies very materially the 

 structure of those parts of the plant situate above the gallery formed by 

 the larva. 



A larva was found in the pith of every monstrous plant examined, but 

 could not be found in healthy plants. In Melilotus arvensis the flowers 

 are equally virescent, often to a very marked extent. This teratological 

 transformation was found to be caused by a larva belonging to the Gurcu- 

 lionidce, and very probably that of Apion meliloti, Kirby. The galleries 

 are in this instance also formed in the neck and branches. No larvae 

 could be found in normal plants of Melilotus. Other instances are 

 recorded, and it is considered as proved that in many plants, at all events, 

 proliferation and virescence are caused by the larva of an insect forming 

 galleries in the pith of the stock or branches. — G. M. 



Vitality Of Seeds. By W. T. Beal (Bot. Gaz. xxxvii. No. 3, 

 p. 222). — Seeds were put into earth for twenty years. They germinated 

 very unevenly. The plants were thirteen in number, as follows : — 

 Amaranthus retroflexus, Brassica nigra, Capsella Bursa-pastoris, Anthe- 

 mis Cotula, Malva rotundifolia, CEnothera biennis, Polygonum Ilydropiper, 

 Bumex crispus and Chickweed and Verbascum Thapsus, Lepidium vir- 

 gin icum, Portulaca oleacea. — G. H. 



Vitality of Vegetable Seeds, Tests of. By C. H. Jenkins (U.S.A. 

 Exp. Stn. Conn. Bep. 1903, pp. 432-439). — The results of a large number 

 of tests of vegetable seeds of varying age are reported. Among those 

 that showed marked decrease in vitality as age increased may be mentioned 

 Brussels Sprouts, Carrot, Dandelion, Kale, Leek, Onion, Parsley, Parsnip, 

 Eadish (after second year), and Water-melon. — F. J. C. 



Vriesia psittaeina var. Morreniana (Gartenflora, Feb. 1, 1904, 

 p. 57 ; coloured plate). — A hybrid between Vriesia psittaeina x Vriesia 

 brachystachys, the former being a native of the Brazilian province of Rio 

 de Janeiro, and the latter of the provinces of S. Paulo and Santa Catharina. 

 Vriesia psittaeina var. Morreniana should be cultivated in light soil in 

 the hot- house. Its culture gives little trouble. — B. C. B. N. 



Wall Gardening- (Garden, No. 1704, p. 35; 16/7/04).— Wall 

 gardening, among its many charms and merits, has the great one of 

 making a good show sooner than can be obtained by any other kind of 

 permanent planting. When we plant shrubs and trees we have to wait 



