NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



187 



order to produce tubes of sufficient diameter to enable an actual flow 

 of slime to take place. Then since the large holes produced are likely 

 to be a source of danger to the plant when translocation diminishes, the 

 callus is utilised to regulate the bore of the tubes, and finally appears 

 to put a stop to the translocatory processes altogether. With regard to 

 the physiological function of the threads, it appears that they serve 

 primarily for the transmission of stimuli, but that, owing to subsequent 

 modifications in the special cases of the sieve-tubes, they become 

 enlarged, and are able to serve secondarily for purposes of translocation. 



A. D. C. 



Silene bella. By J. Britten (Jour. Bot. 524, pp. 268-9 ; 8/1906).— 

 A reclamation of E. D. Clarke's name for this species discovered by him 

 in the Crimea and described in 1810. — G. S. B. 



Silene elongata. By R. Paulson (Jour. Bot. 540, pp. 445-446 ; 

 12/1907). — A reprint of Bellardi's description of this species from the 

 Alps and Dauphine, which has been sunk in S. acaulis, but is considered 

 by the author to be very distinct. S. exscapa and S. bryoides are closely 

 allied. — G. S. B. 



Sinning-ia Regina. By T. A. Sprague (Bot. Mag. tab. 8182).^ 

 Nat. ord. Gesneriaceae, tribe Gesnerieae. Brazil. Stem 6 inches long ; 

 leaves 4-8 inches long, 2|-6 inches broad ; flowers pendulous ; corolla pale 

 violet with yellow band. — G. H. 



Smut, Prevention of Sorghum and Kafir-Corn. By H. F. 



Roberts and G. F. Freeman (U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Kansas, Bull. 149; 

 7/07). — The authors tested a number of different strengths of formalin 

 as a means of checking the attacks of the smut fungus. The seed was 

 steeped in the solutions for two hours and then thoroughly dried before 

 planting. The solution containing *5 per cent, of formalin was found to 

 reduce the smut practically to zero. — F. J. C. 



Sophora Japonica in the Royal Garden, Nassau. By R. Zeissig 



(Die Gart. No. 17, p. 200; January 25, 1908).— Attention is called 

 to the many rare trees found in this somewhat neglected garden, over- 

 grown by Bobinia Pseudacacia. The collection was formed early 

 in the last century by Baron von Stein, and many of the trees were 

 introduced or raised from seeds by Alexander von Humboldt. Some 

 of them, especially the beautiful late-flowering Sophora japonica, are 

 30 metres in height. — G. B. 



Sorghum, The Smuts Of. By Ed. M. Freeman and H. J. C. 

 Umberger (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Giro. 8; May 1908).— Two kinds of 

 Sorghum smuts are enumerated, grain smut (Sphacelotheca Sorglii) and 

 head smut (S. Beiliana). The recommendations are : To obtain seed free 

 from smut. Keep farm free from smut by using own seed and machinery. 

 Treat the seed with either formalin or hot water. Maintain a quarantine 

 against any locality or farm where smut is known to exist. Maintain a 

 quarantine against any handlers of machinery who allow their machinery 

 to become contaminated with smut spores. — M. G. G. 



