NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



123 



varieties are figured: 'Isoline,' standards very wide, white, tinged with 

 violet at margin, yellowish at base, falls long and decumbent, light violet 

 red, with brown streaks at base ; and ' Diane,' plant somewhat dwarf, 

 but flowers equally large, standards light lilac, falls widespreading and 

 darker in tint with brownish-orange basal stripes. — C. T. D. 



Japanese Maples. By J. Clark [Gard. Ghron., No. 1,138, p. 273, 

 October 17, 1908). — The author of this paper says that " many species of 

 Acer are indigenous to Japan, but the term 1 Japanese maple ' is ordinarily 

 applied in gardens to Acer japonicum and A. palmatum together with 

 their respective varieties. The former of these was introduced to this 

 country, according to Loudon, in 1820, and the latter some forty years later. 

 These maples are perfectly hardy, not fastidious as to soil and situation, 

 provided the latter is not too shaded. They are liable to be cut by late 

 spring frosts, but they quickly recover from its effects." A selection of 

 Japanese maples that can be recommended to the ordinary planter, some 

 fifteen in number, is then given with a short description of each variety. 

 — G. S. S. 



Java ; the Virgin Forest of the Equator. By M. Treule (Ann. 

 Jard. Bot. Buit., vol. vii., pp. 144-152). — In a primeval forest in the rainy 

 district of the west of Java the leaves of the giant trees are covered with 

 lichens and mosses ; the branches bear innumerable orchids, Gesneraceae, 

 Piperaceae, and ferns. The trunks of the trees support climbers. Each 

 giant tree exhibits a combination of all kinds of vegetable forms : a rich 

 and varied flora. The undergrowth of the forest abounds in tree ferns, 

 palms, Pandanus, and Musaceae, and in their shade flourish innumerable 

 herbaceous plants. The whole is traversed by lianas and aerial roots. 

 Not only a struggle for existence takes place in the virgin forest, but also 

 on the other hand co-operation and federation. 



In an artificial wood planted forty years ago solely with Schima 

 Noronhae (in a similar situation to the virgin forest just mentioned), 140 

 species of plants occur in an area of 4 hectares. The complete absence of 

 lianas and epiphytes formed a striking contrast to the primeval forest. 



S. E. W. 



Kaulfussia and Gleiehenia, The Prothallia of. By D. H. 



Campbell (Ann. Jdrd. Bot. Buit., vol. vii., pp. 69-99 ; 8 plates). — The 

 prothallium of Kaulfussia is larger than that of the other Marattiaceae, 

 but closely resembles it in structure. An endophytic fungus is always 

 present. The antheridia are restricted to the lower surface of the midrib. 

 In their large size, as well as in the larger spermatozoids, they resemble 

 Ophioglossum. The development of the embryo is similar to that of the 

 other Marattiaceae. The cotyledon emerges from the upper surface of the 

 prothallium and resembles that of Ophioglossum in form and venation. 

 The prothallium of Gleiehenia possesses a massive midrib. An endophytic 

 fungus is always present. In G. laevigata the antheridia occur on both 

 sides of the prothallium ; in all other species they are counned to the 

 ventral surface. G. laevigata has the largest antheridia, and G. poly- 

 podioides the smallest. The embryo appears to resemble in its early 

 divisions that of the Polypodiaceae. — S. E. W. 



