788 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Nana Fruit, The. By Dr. CI. Grimme (Agr. Jour. Cape G.H., 

 vol. v. No. 3, March 1913, p. 468). — The Narra (Acanthosicyos 

 horrida Welw.) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae. It has no leaves, 

 has thickly interlaced green tendrils, and at short intervals sharp 

 thorns in pairs, thus effectually protecting against browsing animals. 

 Its root is as thick as one's arm, and often 15 metres long. Its fruit 

 is larger than a croquet ball and often weighs 3 lb. When ripe it 

 has a sweet-sour taste, can be divided into ten sections, after the 

 manner of an orange; has a great many seeds and forms the chief 

 article of food of the Hottentots of Walfish Bay Territory. — A . A. K. 



Nautilocalyx pallidus (Bot. Mag. tab. 8519).— Family Ges- 

 neraceae, tribe Cyrtandreae. Peru. Herb, branching at base with 

 several stems, ij foot high. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, 6-10 inches 

 long. Cymes 3-6-flowered. Corolla creamy-white ; tube with spur 

 2 inches long. — G. H. 



Nitrogen, Direct Assimilation of Inorganic and Organic Forms 

 of, by Plants. By H. B. Hutchinson and N. H. J. Miller (Jour. 

 Agr. Set. vol. iv. pp. 282-302, January 1912 ; figs.). — A review of 

 present knowledge with regard to the assimilation of nitrogen is first 

 given, then an account of experiments whereby it was sought to 

 ascertain whether nitrogen could be assimilated directly from other 

 nitrogen compounds than nitrates and nitrites of the metals. It 

 was found that ammonium salts, formamide, acetamide, urea, bar- 

 bituric acid, alloxan, and " humus " were readily assimilated ; 

 glycine, a-aminopropionic acid, guanidine, hydrochloride, cyan- 

 uric acid, oxamide, and peptone were assimilated, but less readily j 

 hippuric acid, trimethylamine, para-urazine, hexamethylenetetramine, 

 ethyl nitrate, propionitrile, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, and m ethy 

 carbamate were not assimilated ; while tetranitromethane proved 

 toxic. Peas were the plants used, and considerable variation in the 

 root development was seen. — F. J. C. 



Novelties, The Protection of. By Antoine Rivoire (Rev. 

 Hort. pp. 395-396, Sept. I, 1913). — Particulars of steps being taken 

 by the International Professional Horticultural Union (" l'Union 

 horticole professionnelle international ") to secure protection on 

 copyright lines for horticultural novelties. The society is stated to 

 consist of professional Horticultural Societies of France, England, 

 Germany, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Luxemburg, Sweden, 

 Denmark, and Austria, the secretariat being in Holland and the 

 presidency in France. — C. T. D. 



Oleander (Nerium Oleander Linn.) as a Poisonous Shrub. 



(Agr. Jour., Cape G.H., vol. iv. No. 6, December 1912, p. 887). — Of 

 this plant it is noted : "The bush is extremely poisonous, and several 

 cases are on record of valuable stock having been killed from browsing 

 on it. It does not appear to be very appetising, but, as it is green 

 in winter, animals which have been kept stabled and are allowed to 



