NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



797 



out in order to secure the most complete records for future use of 

 the value of creosote and other preservatives when applied to timber 

 that is intended for railroad constructive purposes. The results 

 are carefully tabulated and the numerous illustrations help greatly 

 in elucidating the text of this useful pamphlet, which runs into some 

 ninety-two pages. — A. D. W. 



Redwood, Mechanical Properties of. By A. L. Heim (U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr., Forest Service, Circ. 193, November 1, 1912). — The timber 

 of the redwood is used for all kinds of constructional purposes, for 

 ties, shingles, paving blocks, and tank and pipe stores. It resists 

 fire well, and even when ignited burns slowly, while the absence of 

 resin renders it peculiarly suitable for building purposes. Various 

 useful tables are appended. — A. D. W. 



Rhododendron caucasicum Chimaera.' By M. Loebner, 

 Dresden (Die Gartenw. July 5, p. 366). — In an exceedingly interesting 

 article, Herr Loebner, of the Dresden Botanic Garden, gives 

 the history of the origin of the above " graft-hybrid." The 

 Rhododendron originated from a graft of R. ' Madame Linden ' on 

 R. ' Cunningham's White.' Just underneath the junction of the graft 

 with the stock a shoot was allowed to bloom unheeded, resulting 

 in a flower which is a mixture of both, a highly interesting Chimaera. 

 The colour is a tender lilac-rose in the face of the white of R. 1 Cunning- 

 ham'sWhite,' and the vivid lilac-rose and the strongly defined blood-red 

 marking of the top petal. R. X Chimaera shows the colour and marking 

 of the last named, but in a much paler degree. On several twigs the 

 leaves of ' Cunningham's White,' when carefully examined, are found 

 to be sinuated on the edges similarly to oak-leaves. With R. x Chimaera 

 this is still more conspicuous. R. ' Cunningham's White ' flowers from 

 ten to fourteen days earlier than 'Madame Linden,' and Chimaera 

 flowers between the two. — G. R. 



Rhododendron harmalocheilum (Bot. Mag. tab. 8518).— 

 Family Ericaceae, tribe Rhodoreae. China. Shrub. Leaves 3 inches 

 long. Flower expanding nearly blood-red. In expanded state a rich 

 carmine, gradually fading. — G. H. 



Rhododendron nigropunctatum (Bot. Mag. tab. 8529). — Family 

 Ericaceae, tribe Rhodoreae. China. Shrub, very dwarf, 8-10 inches 

 high with a neatly rounded crown. Leaves persistent, £ inch long. 

 Flowers | inch across ; pale purple, 1 inch across. — G. H. 



Rhododendron setosum (Bot. Mag. tab. 8523).— -Family Ericaceae, 

 tribe Rhodoreae. Eastern Himalaya. Shrublet, about 1 foot high. 

 Leaves oblong, J inch long. Corolla rose-purple ; lobes \ inch long. 



G. H. 



Ribes sanguineum splendens. By R. Barbier (Rev. Hort. 

 pp. 428-429, Sept. 16, 1913 ; plate). — The plate shows a brilliantly 



