NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



521 



and also in regard to characters of stems, leaves, and laterals. He shows that 

 male hops exhibit definite variation in several directions, and that selection 

 for one or more characters is quite feasible. — /. E. W. E. H. 



Hybridization. By J. Harraca (Le Jard. vol. xxviii. p. 219). — The 

 character and properties of about 30 per cent, of the progeny obtained by cross- 

 fertilizing two varieties of wheat could not be foreseen from the appearance of 

 the parents. 



The results obtained by crossing two plants in two different years are totally 

 different.— S. E. W. 



Iris Urumovii (Bot. Mag. tab. 8608). — Bulgaria. Family Iridaceae. Tribe 

 Irideae. Herb. Stems, several, 4-5 in. high. Leaves 5-6 to a stem, 10 in. long, 

 I in. wide. Perianth, outer segments in. long, with bluish-purple veins in 



the white base. Inner segments 1 in. long, purple. — G. H. 



Leguminosao, Development and Distribution of. By E. C. Andrews {Bot. Gaz. 

 lx. p. 300). — In discussing the development and present distribution of Legumi- 

 nosae, Mr. Andrews comes to the conclusion : — " The present distribution of plants 

 and animals is the algebraic sum of the responses made by organisms to their 

 changing environments during the whole of the known geological record, and 

 the present adjustment of the activities involved has been obtained only after 

 ages of development during various changes." This appears to be a special 

 case of Darwin's alternative explanation of evolution ; viz. that new varieties 

 arise by response to the direct action of changed conditions of life, without the 

 aid of natural selection (Variation of Animals and Plants, 6-c, ii. pp. 271, 272). Mr. 

 Andrews finds that many uniform types of leguminosae are widely diffused 

 through the tropics, and that in extra-tropical countries these uniform tropical 

 forms are represented by specialized types which are mainly xerophytic. It 

 may be added that in Malta leguminous plants are dominant, and all xerophytic 

 on the characteristic limestone of that island. — G. H. 



Lettuce, A Bacterial Disease of. By N. A. Brown [Jour. Agr. Res. iv. pp. 475- 

 478 ; August 1915). — Outer leaves entirely shrivelled and dried, and some in a 

 soft-rotted condition; centres of heads sound, but here and there leaves in 

 them affected in varying degrees. In some places numerous separated spots 

 with a water-soaked appearance were evident. The organism is described, and 

 the name Bacterium viridilividum is proposed for it in allusion to the peculiar 

 appearance of the organism when growing on potato. — F. J. C. 



Lilium cernuum. By A. Grove (Gard. Chron. Nov. 13, 1915, p. 302 ; 2 figs.). — 

 Records the first flowering in England of this species in Mr. Perry's Nursery 

 in June, giving the history of the plant, list of habitats, and Komarov's later 

 diagnosis and figures of a flowering plant and of a bulb. — E. A . B. 



Lodgepole Pine in the Rocky Mountains, The Life-History of. By D. T. 



Mason (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bull. 154, January 14, 191 5). — Lodgepole Pine (Pinus 

 contorta Loudon) is one of the most widely distributed western conifers. The 

 " lodgepole region " — that in which lodgepole is the pre-eminent important species 

 — is mountainous, frequently interrupted by broad, open valleys, or plains, 

 partly fertile and devoted to farming, and in part suitable only for grazing. The 

 forests, as a rule, are confined to the mountains. 



Lodgepole is one of the smallest of the commercially important pines. In 

 well-developed stands approximately 140 years old, at which age the tree may 

 be considered mature, most of the merchantable trees are from eight to fourteen 

 inches in diameter breast-high, and from sixty to eighty feet in height. However, 

 trees up to twenty inches in diameter and eighty-five feet in height are common. 



Lodgepole pine seldom attains a very great age because of fire and insect 

 damage. Stands over 250 years old are uncommon, and stands over 300 years 

 very rare. The oldest stand on record is one in the Beaverhead National Forest, 

 Montana, which has attained an age of about 450 years. — A. D. W. 



Lotus campylocladus, forma villosior (Bot. Mag. tab. 8603). — Canary Islands. 

 Family Leguminosae. Tribe Loieae. Herb. Leaves 3-foliate, umbels 3-5-flowered, 

 1^ in. across. — G. H. 



Mangos in Florida. By P. H. Rolfs [U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Florida, Bull. 127, 

 pp. 105-138 ; 17 figs.). A description of the varieties of Mango and their culti- 

 vation in Florida.— S. E. W. 



Maurandia Purpusii. By R. de Noter (Le Jard. vol. xxviii. p. 232 ; 1 col. 

 plate). — Maurandia Purpusii can be raised from seed in a light soil, in a tem- 

 perate house. Avoid excess in watering. When the seedlings have 5 or 6 leaves, 



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