ABSTRACTS. 



303 



mental orchard attached to the station in controlling insect pests and 

 studying their habits. It also gives a plan of the experimental orchard. 



F.J. C. 



Economic Plants of Samana, Historical Notes on. By W. 



Harris (Bull. Bot. Dep. Jam., new series, vol. viii. part 9, p. 129 ; part 

 10, p. 154 ; part 10, p. 161). — The author gives an account of the trees 

 as mentioned in 1622 by Dr. Heylin. In 1672 Rd. Blome gave an 

 account of the fruits, herbs, and roots. Then follows an account of the 

 Pineapple, probably brought by the Spaniards from Tropical America, 

 though it appears on the coat of arms as if it were a natural product. 

 Various accounts written in the seventeenth century are quoted, as well 

 as later reports on the varieties cultivated in Jamaica at the present time. 

 The best methods of cultivation are also described. In the second 

 article Bananas are considered ; the varieties are named. In the third 

 the Mango is treated of. The author gives some account of the history, 

 varieties, and their order of merit. — G. H. 



Edgeworthia chrysantha, Flowers of. By Gustavo Mattei (Bull. 

 B. Soc. Tosc. Ort. 1 ; p. 16, January 1902). — The flowers have a singular 

 and rare biological history. Each flower passes through two quite 

 distinct stages : a first stage, in which it is fertilised exclusively by bees 

 of medium size, including the common hive bee ; and a second stage, in 

 which Spiling idee, especially Macroglossa stellatarum, are the sole ferti- 

 lisers ; these latter only visit curved and whitish flowers. During the 

 first stage the anthers of the superior whorl have not dehisced, while at 

 the second stage this has taken place, and the style is less bent and more 

 elongated. — W. C. W. 



Edible Fungi. " La Vente des Champignons sur les Marches des 

 differentes Villes d' Europe." Par M. Emile Perrot (Bull. Soc. Myc. 

 Fr. xviii. fasc. 2 ; 1902). — This purports to be a record of the various 

 species of edible Fungi which are offered for sale in the markets of the 

 different cities of Europe. Also of the regulations in force for general 

 protection, with suggestions as to the means which should be generally 

 adopted for public protection, and measures for general instruction in 

 popular mycology, and a knowledge of edible and poisonous species. 

 The countries which are included in this memoir are Germany, Austro- 

 Hungary, Belgium and Netherlands, France, Britain, Italy, Russia, and 

 Switzerland. In some countries twenty or thirty species are recorded, or 

 even more, whilst in Great Britain it is stated that the only species is 

 Psalliota campestris (the equally common Psalliota arvensis being for- 

 gotten), and, rarely as an exception Lepiota procera, Tricholoma per^ 

 sonatum, some Morels, and a large quantity of Truffles imported from 

 France.— M. C. C. 



Embryo Sacs, On the Development of. By R. E. B. McKenny, 

 B.Sc. (Contr. Bot. Lab. Phil. ii. No. 1, 1898, p. 80 ; plate 11).— Plants of 

 Scilla hyacinthoides, var. ccerulea, S. campanulata, Lilium tigritium, 

 and L. candidu?n furnished the material for study. The writer has 



