NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



27I 



found in well-decayed peat carrying a bog forest). There are also 

 sufficient mineral salts and nitrogen material (nitrites, nitrates, and 

 ammonia). 



The author found extraordinary differences in the transpired 

 amount, and green weight produced in varieties of the same plant 

 (Sorghum, Medicago, Dolichos, Phaseolus, and wheat). 



He concludes that the bacterial flora and the nature of the organic 

 compounds produced are very important factors. The condition of 

 the plant itself and the fact that certain organic compounds penetrate 

 the protoplasmic membrane are also of great importance. Some 

 plants precipitate the organic compounds in peat, whilst others absorb 

 and assimilate them. These organic disintegration substances have 

 little or no effect upon certain xerophytic plants. — G. F. S. E. 



Borders, Herbaceous, of London Parks. By E. Richlin (Die 

 Gart. p. 104; Feb. 22, 1913). — The author, a Continental visitor, 

 describes and illustrates in great detail the famous herbaceous border 

 in Greenwich Park. The visit happened five months after the border 

 had been first planted, at the end of the summer of 1912. Grouped 

 in clumps of about three to five plants of each kind, with careful 

 blending of colours, nearly all the plants flowered and were at their 

 best, showing great care, foresight, and knowledge of the subject. 

 Another, though much smaller, group near the lake contained several 

 of the rare and somewhat difficult Meconopsis of the Himalayas and 

 China, with a number of the vigorous-growing Primulas.— G. R. 



Botrychium, The Abortive Spike of. By O. O. Stoland (Bot. Gaz., 

 pp. 525-531 ; Dec. 1912 ; with 21 figs.). — The author describes and 

 figures the anatomy of the abortive spike, and considers that it repre- 

 sents two fused basal pinnae. — G. F. S. E. 



Bowenia, Two species of. By C. J. Chamberlain (Bot. Gaz., pp. 419- 

 423 ; Nov. 1912 ; with 4 figs.). — The author makes a new species of 

 the variety serrulata of B. spectabilis, Hook. f. This species forms a 

 dense underbrush in the prevailing Eucalyptus bush near Rockhamp- 

 ton, Australia. The stem is spherical or turnip-shaped, and not 

 carrot-shaped as in B. spectabilis. — G. F. S. E. 



Brambles, Ornamental, for Winter Effect (Garden, p. 624, Dec. 14, 

 1912 ; and 2 figs.). — Mr. E. H. Wilson, during his three expeditions 

 in China, collected seeds of fifty species and varieties of Rubus ; of 

 these at least ten or twelve already give evidence of becoming popular. 

 The different species and varieties vary very much in growth, foliage, 

 and appearance. Several form large bushes 12 or 15 feet high, others 

 produce long, slender, trailing stems. 



The three most noteworthy of the better fruiting kinds are R. 

 bifiorus, R. quinqueflorus, and R. Kuntzeanus. The species with 

 trailing shoots are suitable for pillars and pergolas, particularly several 

 of the evergreen species. The species with ornamental stems or 



