ABSTRACTS. 



771 



peduncle. The epicarp, at first green, at length becomes whitish, and 

 finally, when ripe, \iolet in colour. The mesocarp is colourless, juicy, 

 and sweet. The endocarp is hard, whitish yellow, with two or four 

 longitudinal ridges, and contains two to four loculi, each provided with 

 one or two seeds. The seed is small and white, with a straight embryo 

 and fleshy albumen. Flowering occurs from March to May, and the fruit 

 ripens in July. On account of the numerous shoots springing from the 

 stem it is much used for evergreen hedges. It has a rapid growth, reaching 

 a height of four metres in three years. The average length of its life as 

 known in Sicily is supposed to be from thirty-five to forty years. From 

 its power of resistance to strong winds it could be usefully employed as a 

 shelter. It prefers a very mild climate in winter and a not very hot one 

 in summer, but could probably well enough adapt itself to a more northern 

 climate. It is somewhat deleteriously affected by salt breezes, especially 

 after a very dry summer, but soon pulls round again after the autumn 

 rains. It readily adapts itself to sandy and calcareous soils, which are 

 very poor and dry. The usual multiplication is by seed, but reproduction 

 by cuttings and suckers can also be employed. As the seeds soon lose 

 their germinative power, they are best sown as soon as the fruit is ripe, 

 viz. in July-August or at latest in September. Germination takes 

 place from November to March. The fruits are laid entire in the soil to 

 a depth of 3-4 cm., and are frequently watered. Plants germinated in 

 autumn can be transplanted the following autumn, those of March the 

 following December. Adult plants require as a rule no manure, but a 

 moderate annual or biennial manuring with hyperphosphate ; sulphate of 

 ammonia or potash will greatly benefit them. The best time for pruning 

 is in early spring, but the plant will stand this operation at any time. Old 

 plants will not sprout after being cut down to the base, as old age first 

 shows itself in the roots. The plant is little subject to injury by parasites, 

 but a small cochineal insect, closely allied if not identical with Dacty- 

 lopius citri, at times severly attacks the young branches, and the plant 

 may then suffer injury. Myoporum is cultivated solely as an ornament 

 and a screen. Its foliage is not eaten by animals. Boys sometimes eat 

 the ripe fruits. The wood when fresh is heavy, but seasoning makes it 

 very light, non resistent to moisture, and brittle. It is usually used as 

 fuel, and occasionally for small objects of turnery. — W. C. W. 



Narcissus 'Hudibras' (Bev. Hort. p. 199; May 1, 1902).— Said 

 by Krelage, Haarlem, to be one of the finest of the yellow trumpet section. 

 Flowers in cold frames middle of March. Flowers large and well shaped, 

 resembling a cross between an Ajax and an Incomparablis. Perianth 

 bright yellow, full, wider than an Ajax, but shorter ; edge frilled and very 

 open. A difficult grower. — C. T. D. 



Nature Study in California ( U.S.A. Exp. Stn. California, Nature 

 Study Bulletins, 1900). - -This bulletin contains two articles. The first by 

 C. W. Woodworth, on butterflies (with six plates), gives the causes of the 

 distribution of butterflies, the daily life of a butterfly, its habits, its 

 enemies, and its life-history from the egg to the perfect insect. Instruc- 

 tions are given as to how to collect and preserve butterflies, and, finally, 

 a list of 354 butterflies, many of which are illustrated. 



