142 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ordinary "Thermos" flasks depend upon the same principle.) He was 

 able to obtain with silvered flasks temperatures of 54°, 55° and 56° with 

 living germinating peas, whilst the dead peas in control flasks only showed 

 temperatures of 14° and 15°. 



The rise of temperature in the case of fermenting yeast was clearly 

 shown, and also the increase in temperature or " fevered state " of chopped 

 onions when compared with uninjured specimens. 



The efficiency of the individual Dewar's flasks appears, however, to 

 show considerable variation. — 67. F. S.-E. 



Ribes speciosum. By J. Mottet (Le Jardin, vol. xxii. No. 518, 

 p. 271 ; September 20, 1908 ; 1 fig.). — Bibes speciosum or fuchsioides, a 

 native of California and British Columbia, was introduced in 1829. The 

 small pendant flowers are characterized by very long stamens of a brilliant 

 scarlet. The bush resembles Fuchsia Biccartoni closely, but its long 

 sharp thorns distinguish it. It grows about 8 feet high, and flowers 

 in May and June. Fruit a small red berry. In the autumn the foliage 

 turns a rich crimson. Unfortunately, it is not hardy, and needs protection 

 ia winter. But in the south it grows to a great height, and is a striking 

 ornament to the shrubbery. — F. A. W. 



Root, Geotropy Of. (Beih. Bot Centralbl., xxiv., Erste Abth., Heft 1, 

 pp. 96-110; with 1 plate and 6 figures). — Mr. Frederick C. Newcombe 

 shows that the sensitiveness of the root to gravity is not confined to the 

 last 2 mm. of the root tip, but may extend 4 mm. back from it, and 

 possibly through the elongating zone. 



There is apparently no relation between the extent of the sensitive 

 zone and length of the elongating zone. — G. F. S.-E. 



Roots of Fag*ara xantholoxoides. By H. Pries (Not Konig. Bot, 

 Berlin, No. 44, pp. 99-101). — The rind of these roots contains fagerol 

 (C 14 H 14 0 4 ), and two alkaloids, which resemble myosin and veratin in 

 physiological action.— S. E. W. 



Rubber Tree in Hawaii, The Ceara. By Jared G. Smith and 

 Q. Q. Bradford (Hawaii Agr. Exp. St. Bull. 16 ; 30 pp.). — Gives a very 

 full account of the cultivation and tapping of this valuable rubber- 

 producing plant. Rubber is now so valuable and much in request that 

 enough of the raw material to satisfy the yearly demands is not forth- 

 coming. There is now apparently a race among countries having lands 

 available for rubber production to see which can get the largest acreage 

 of rubber trees into bearing in the shortest time, in order to harvest the 

 marvellous profits which seem almost absolutely certain. — A. D. W. 



Rubus koehneanus (Bot Mag. tab. 8246).— Nat. ord. Rosaceae ; 

 tribe Bubeae ; Japan. Shrub 3-4 feet high ; leaves 3-5 lobed, green 

 above, white pubescent below ; flowers few, petals white ; drupes few, 

 orange. — 67. H. 



Salts in the Soil, Absorption of. By J. Rosen and C. Heller (Bot 

 Gaz., September 1908, pp. 224-229).— The authors found that wheat 

 seedlings when only watered with potash and other salts endured far 



