NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



121 



the former in fruit. The seeds are apparently perfect. Focke's remarks 

 on the " mixed species " (" Mischart ") resulting from the manifold crossing 

 of several closely related species of the Mahonia section, and on the 

 garden hybrid B. Neubertii are quoted. — G. S. B. 



Bio-histologieal Notes on some New Rhodesian Species of 

 Fuirena, Hesperantha, and Justieia. By L. S. Gibbs (Ann. Bot. 

 vol. xxii. April 1908, pp. 187-205 ; 2 plates). — An interesting contribution 

 to our knowledge of the biology of these South African plants. The 

 remarkable adaptations to physiological conditions exhibited are dealt 

 with from a biological and histological standpoint. 



In the case of Fuirena Oedipus (Cyperaceae), a bog plant growing 

 within the spray area of the Victoria Falls, the basal internode is 

 curiously modified into a pseudobulb. The tissue involved is that of 

 the cortex, and it is found to be packed with starch. Organogenic modi- 

 fication for storage of reserve food material is rare in the Cyperaceae, 

 and hitherto only known in the rhizome. The tuberous swellings in 

 the basal internodes of certain grasses serve as water reservoirs and 

 not as food storehouses. Other species of the same genus are contrasted 

 with F. Oedipus. 



In species of Hesperantha (Iridaceae) the main interest lies in the 

 tunics of the corms. H. matopensis, n. sp., is specially discussed. The 

 persistent tunics, which are partly liquefied, are very numerous compared 

 with the size of the corm, and they are of value in preserving moisture 

 round the shcots. Other types of corm-tunics in Iridaceae and allied 

 natural orders are referred to. 



The last plant dealt with is one of the Acanthaceae, a highly specialised 

 Justieia, J. elegantula. This plant possesses subterranean winter buds 

 with colourless radical leaves ; the flowers are borne on very short stems, 

 which also bear linear cauline leaves. The shoots finally assume a 

 dorsiventral habit, auxiliary flowering shoots arising from the nodes. 

 The resting buds are also produced from these shoots. It is pointed out 

 that in Fuirena and Justieia, two plants of widely differing organization 

 and systematic position, exposed to the same physiological but rather 

 different edaphic conditions, the direct response is on the same lines 

 in both cases, and in the same direction, viz., to the general or physio- 

 logical stimulus rather than to individual requirements. — A. D. C. 



Bulbophyllum Binnendijkii. By R. A. Rolfe (Bot. Mag. tab. 

 8187). — Nat. ord. Orchidaccae, tribe Epidendreae. Java. Epiphyte ; 

 pseudo -bulbs, 5 \ inches long ; leaves 1 foot long ; flowers umbellate, 

 seven to ten, very large, light green, with dark brown spots ; sepals 

 elongated, spirally twisted at apex, 2^-3^ inches long ; petals 1^-2 inches 

 long, spirally twisted at apex ; lip crimson at end. — G. H. 



Bunt, or Stinking" Smut. By F. D. Heald (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. 

 Nebraska, Bull. No. 28 ; 3 figs. ; 1908).— After describing the pest, and 

 its life history, this communication recommends the formalin treatment, 

 as follows: — Place the seed on a clean floor; prepare the solution by 

 adding one pint of commercial formalin to thirty gallons of water, for 



