NOTES ON RECENT RESEARCH. 



695 



Seeds Unaffected by Alcohol. 

 Germination and Alcohol (Beih. Bot. Cent. bd. xii. ht. 1, p. 137). 

 — Lndmila Sukatscheff (Belgorod) left seeds of Lupinus mutabilis for 

 one to five days in 100 per cent, and 90 per cent, alcohol, but these seeds 

 germinated. Seeds of Sunflower and Lupine which had had the skin 

 removed also germinated after lying in alcohol from half an hour to 

 seven hours. Even seeds injured by deep cuts with a penknife were able 

 to germinate after lying for from twelve to thirty- seven hours in 90 per 

 cent, and 100 per cent, alcohol. — G. F. S.-E. 



Fungus in Fegatella conica. 



Hepatic with Thallus occupied by a Filamentous Fungus. By 



M. Beauverie (Comp. Bend. p. 616 ; 1902). — The author states that 

 Fegatella conica, one of the thalloid hepatics, is almost constantly infested 

 to a large extent by a filamentous fungus, which proves to be a species of 

 Fusarium. The fungus enters through the rhizoids, and a protuberance 

 is usually formed at the point of entrance of the mycelium. The fungus 

 is absent from the growing point of the rhizoid. The cellulose walls of 

 the cells infested with the fungus assume a deep violet colour. 



Reproductive bodies, sometimes in chains, are formed on the mycelium 

 in the rhizoids : these are analogous to the megalospores or chlamydo- 

 spores described by Warlich and others as produced by phanerogamic 

 endophytes. Finally conidia are also produced in the rhizoids. 



The host-plant undoubtedly benefits by the presence of the fungus ; in 

 fact the plants most abundantly infected are the most vigorous. 



Infection of the host-plants depends on the presence of humus, and is 

 most pronounced when humus is abundant. If humus is wanting the 

 fungus is absent, and the hepatic remains small and ill-nourished. These 

 facts are sufficient to demonstrate that the Fegatella is nourished, through 

 the medium of the fungus on the humus. 



Finally, the author considers that the Fegatella has acquired (as in 

 certain saprophytic Orchids) the means of obtaining nourishment from 

 the carbon contained in the humus, and consequently has lost to a great 

 extent the power of exercising the original function of chlorophyll. 



67. M. 



Method of Infection by Rust. 



Host and Parasite, on the Relations between, in the Bromes 

 and their Brown Rust (Ptoccinia dispersa, Erikss.). By H. Marshall 

 Ward, D.Sc, F.R.S. (Ann. Bot. vol. xvi. No. 62, p. 233).— In this paper 

 is recorded one of those thorough and laborious investigations for which 

 the author is so well known. Some years ago, he writes, " I gave a 

 summary of the factors and questions involved in the study of the rela- 

 tions between host and parasite in certain epidemic diseases of plants,* 

 and have at various opportunities since then continued investigations into 

 that subject. In particular I have for some time been occupied with 

 researches planned with the object of ascertaining more concerning the 

 modes of infection and attack of the Uredo-form of certain rust fungi. 

 During the course of this work I had occasion to select a particular genus 

 * Croonian Lecture, Proc, R.S., vol. xlvii. 1890, p. 393. 



