NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



123 



NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



Abies Mariesii. By M. T. Masters (Bot. Mag. tab. 8098).— Japan. 

 Nat. ord. Coniferae ; tribe Abietineae. A tall pyramidal tree ; younger 

 branches scaly ; leaves adpressed, 1 inch long ; cones erect, 3^-5 inches 

 long, 1^—2 inches wide, dull purple, cask-shaped ; male flowers 

 unknown.— G. H. 



Adenostemma viscosum, Fruit-dispersal in. By R. H. Yapp 

 (Ann. Bot. xx. July 1906, pp. 311-316 ; 1 plate). — A biological account 

 of the sticky fruits of this plant. 



In Compositae the protective function of the calyx is performed by 

 the involucre, and the calyx proper being reduced frequently becomes 

 a highly modified pappus. Adenostemma is a composite peculiar in 

 possessing a glandular pappus. The inferior ovary is crowned with a 

 projecting ring of tissue, upon which are situated three glandular setae 

 (stalked glands). 



During the ripening of the fruits of the capitulum the corolla and 

 styles fall off en masse, at which time the pappus excretes an exceedingly 

 viscid liquid which forms a drop at the tip of each seta. In this 

 condition the seta3 bear a marked resemblance to the leaf " tentacles " 

 of a Drosera. At the same time the setae gradually move from a vertical 

 into a horizontal position, and during this process the swellings formally 

 present at their bases disappear. The tiny fruits are now fully exposed 

 and are ready to attach themselves to any passing animal. 



The swelling at the base of each pappus seta is in reality a pulvinus. 

 It is composed of large thin-walled motor cells, which probably act by 

 losing water during the drying and ripening of the fruit. 



In view of the fact that the feathery pappus of many Composites 

 executes similar movements, several British species were examined, with 

 the result that, in a number of instances, a mechanism resembling the 

 pulvinus described above was found. In the cases examined the down- 

 ward movement of the hairs was found to be effected by means of a 

 continuous annular pulvinus, on the edge of which the pappus hairs 

 were borne. — A. D. C. 



Alpine Garden at Samoens. By Hortulus {Be* Jar din, vol. xxi. 

 No. 480, p. 52 ; with 3 figs. ; February 20, 1907).— The fine Alpine station 

 of La Jaysinia, at Samoens, Haute- Savoie, was established in the autumn 

 of 1906 for the purpose of collecting together, in twenty-five divisions, 

 the mountain flora from all regions of the globe. The names and 

 geographical habitat of many of the species now acclimatised in the 

 garden are cited in this interesting article. — F. A. W. 



Amaryllis (Hippeastrum). By Le Texnier (Be Jardin, vol. xxi. 

 No. 478, p. 26 ; January 20, 1907).— Historical account of the genus with 

 description of hybrids. — F. A. W. 



