NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



697 



destruction of Prickly Pear (Opuntia Dillenii) by the help of a beetle, 

 thought to be allied to the cochineal insect. Many schemes are being 

 proposed for the destruction of the Prickly Pear in Queensland, which now 

 covers thousands of acres of plain and scrub land. If such an insect 

 could be obtained this land could be reclaimed for agricultural and other 

 purposes, and thousands of pounds sterling would be saved to the State. 



M. C. C. 



Primrose, The : Observations on Fertilisation. By a Field 

 Naturalist (Gard. Chron. No. 850, p. 225; April 11, 1903).— The "pin- 

 eyed " and "short-styled " varieties are described and figured. The writer 

 differs from Darwin in his views that this " heterostylism " proves that 

 the Primrose is not self- fertilising, and shows with much force that the 

 short-styled or "thrum-eyed" variety is at any rate self-fertilised, and 

 that it is very seldom that flowers of this variety are visited by insects. 



G. S. S. 



Primula elatior. By E. G. Gilbert (Journ. Bot. 488, pp. 280-2 ; 

 8/1903). — A suggestion that P. elatior is a hybrid between P. veris and 

 P. acaulis. — G. S. B. 



Primula elatior. By E. S. Marshall [Jouvn. Bot. 489, pp. 314-5 ; 

 9/1903). — Note in opposition to the suggested hybrid origin of the Oxlip. 



G. S. B. 



Primula megraseaefolia. By Sir J. D. Hooker (Bot. Mag. tab. 

 7901). — Nat. ord. Primulaccce, tribe Primulcce. Native of Asia Minor. 

 This has been only found on the south-east shore of the Black Sea. The 

 specific name is due to its resemblance to species of Saxifrage. The 

 leaves are ovate, 3-5 inches long. Umbel many-flowered, 3 inches in 

 diameter. Corolla is rose-red to crimson-purple. — G. H. 



Propagation by Leaves (Bev. Hort. October 1, 1903, pp. 442-3).— 

 Abstract of results of experiments by M. H. Lindemuth, who, in periods 

 varying from seven to twenty-four days, succeeded in inducing to root the 

 leaves of twenty-eight species of plants, viz. : Achyranthes Verschaffelti, 

 Arabis alpina, Celosia cristata, Citrus sp., Coleus hybridus, Cissus discolor, 

 Digitalis purpurea, Episcia cupreata, Fuchsia hybrida, Mimulus hybridus 

 duplex, Mimulus moschatus, Momordica Balsamina, Nicotiana rustica, 

 Oxcdis crassicaulis, Oxalis Deppei x lilacina, Petunia hybrida, Physalis 

 Alkekengi, Pogostemon Patchouly, Baphanus sativus, Rivina humilis, 

 Salvia officinalis, Saponaria officinalis, Scrophularia nodosa, Solanum 

 Lycopersicum (Tomato), Tagetes erecta, Tanacetum Balsamita, Veronica 

 longifolia, Vitis vinifera. 



The leaves of Citrus and also of Camellia form roots and live for 

 months and even years, but form no buds. The leaves are severed as 

 closely as possible to the axillary bud, and inserted in sandy soil face 

 upwards.— C. T. D. 



Protea mellifera. By Ed. Andre (Bev. Hort. July 1, 1903, 

 pp. 308-9 ; coloured plate). — Termed at the Cape, its native habitat, the 

 ' Honey Flower ' or ' Sugar Bush.' Floriferous examples grown on the 



c c 



