460 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Avocado in Hawaii. By J. E. Higgens, J. Hunn, and V. S. Holt 



[Hawaii Exp. Stn., Bull. 25 ; Dec. 16, 1911 ; plates). — Among tropical 

 fruits the taste for which in temperate climates is rapidly increasing 

 is the Avocado [Per sea gratissima), sometimes, but inaccurately and 

 rather unfortunately, called the Alligator Pear. 



This is an account of the growing importance of the cultivation 

 of this fruit in Hawaii, and of all the processes of rearing, propagating, 

 and cultivating the tree and of gathering, grading, and marketing 

 the fruit. A descriptive list of some varieties now being tested in 

 Hawaii and on the mainland is given, and some recipes are added 

 for the preparation of the fruit for the table. — M. L. H. 



Begonia, A Bisexual " Gymnospermous.' ' By R. A. Dummer 



(Ann. Bot. vol. xxvi., Oct. 1912, pp. 1123, 1124). — Records the occur- 

 rence of a bisexual flower of Begonia semperflorens var. gigantea. 

 The gyncecium was entirely superior and the ovaries wholly exposed 

 owing to the disappearance of the protecting ovary wall. The stamens 

 originated from the base of the ovuliferous lamellae, and in some cases 

 were fused with the styles. — A. D. C. 



Begonia boliviensis sulphurea. By Ferd. Cayeaux [Rev. Hort. 

 May 1, 1913 ; pp. 200-202 ; 4 illustrations). — An account of the origin, 

 so far as traceable, of this Begonia species, which is of somewhat dwarf 

 habit, very floriferous, and with yellow flowers. Possibly of value for 

 hybridization, but, curiously enough, its multitude of flowers appear to 

 be nearly all males, the few exceptions being imperfect, and so far 

 producing no seed. Crosses have, however, been effected ; ' Clair 

 de lune,' between it and an unnamed tuberous Begonia, and B. x 

 bolidavis, B. Davisii x B. boliviensis sulphurea, very floriferous and 

 of an orange colour, suited for border planting. — C. T. D. 



Begonia, 4 Lena 1 and others suitable for suspended Baskets. 



By E. Laumonnier-Ferard (Rev. Hort. Feb. 1913 ; 1 illustration and 

 coloured plate). — ' Lena ' is an extremely handsome, floriferous, tuber- 

 ous plant, with large, pendulous, deep crimson double flowers, 

 3 inches or more in diameter. A descriptive list of others is given. 



C. T. D. 



Berberis verruculosa (Bot. Mag. tab. 8454).— China. Nat. 

 Ord. Berberidaceae, tribe Berberideae. Shrub, evergreen, 3-4 feet 

 high. Flowers yellow. Berry purplish-blue, pruinose.— G. H. 



Birds, The Food of Nestling. By W. E. Collinge (Jour. Bd. 

 Agr. vol. xix., No. 6, pp. 460-465). — " Practically all birds, excepting 

 doves and pigeons, feed their young upon an animal diet, whatever 

 may be the character of the food of the adult." The present article 

 consists mainly of observations bearing upon the quantity and nature 

 of the food of the young of the starling, house sparrow, song thrush, 

 and blackbird. When it is " remembered that the nestling season is 



