NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



318 



* Sophroeattleya x Blackii 

 Sophrolaeiia x heatonense . . Journ. Hort. 1909, ii. p. 171. 

 Trichopilia Backhouseana . . Gard. Mag. 1909, p. 421. 



Vancla teres Gard. Ghrov. 1909, i. p. 365, fig. 



161. 



V. eoerulea Amer. Gard. 1909, p. 1217. 



*V. eoerulea var. 1 Dreadnought ' . 



G. W. 



* A painted portrait of those having an asterisk prefixed is preserved in the Royal 

 Horticultural Society's collection. 



Orchids and their Commensal Fungi. Evolution in Sym- 

 biosis {continuation). By N. Bernard {Ann. Sc. Nat. vol. ix. Nos. 2-3, 

 pp. 65-191 ; 4 plates, 16 figs.) — Experiments on the germination and 

 growth of orchid seeds in sterilized nutritive media lead the author to 

 the conclusion that symbicsis is a transitory episode in the life history 

 of the race of orchids, and that in the course of time orchids will enjoy 

 an autonomous life, and therefore it will be possible to germinate and 

 develop them without the aid of commensal fungi. — S. E. W. 



Paeony, Double Yellow Tree. By II. Rouhaud {Le Jard. xxii. 524, 

 p. 377; December 20, 1908; 1 fig.). — Paeonia Delavayi var. "Souvenir 

 du Professor Maxim Cornu." The article gives an interesting account 

 of the experiments in hybridization which have eventually produced this 

 Double Yellow Tree paeony. Unfortunately all the plants in 1908 were 

 sterile, but it is hoped that they will be amenable to grafting. — F. A. W. 



Pear ShOOt, Structure Of. By Abrial Claude {La Pomologie Fran- 

 caise, No. 12 ; 1908). A pear branch in the month of June carries three 

 sorts of buds : (1) those at the base are small, flat, almost atrophied, and 

 the leaves are little developed above them ; (2) above these are three or 

 four buds more rounded, the leaves which accompany them are incom- 

 plete, destitute of stipules ; (3) lastly, above these are more pointed buds 

 accompanied by leaves well developed, provided with stipules at their 

 base. Experience shows that (1) the buds at the base only develop very 

 rarely ; (2) the three or four buds following are more apt than the others 

 to transform into flower buds. — C. H. H. 



Pennisetum hybridum atrosang-uineum {Die Gart., p. 254 ; 

 May 29, 1909). — A very ornamental grass, with long linear purple-tinted 

 leaves. It requires full sun and a moist position. — G. B. 



Pentstemon, A Comparative Study of the Genus. By L. 



Krauter, Ph.D. {Contr. BoU Lab., Univ. Penn. iii. 2 ; 1908).— The 

 genus is thoroughly reviewed, a conservative attitude being adopted towards 

 the establishment of new species, no new names appearing ; 148 species 

 are fully described, with their synonymy, following Asa Gray's division of 

 the genus, and the arrangement of the species allows the list to be easily 

 consulted. The descriptions are in English. — F. J. C. 



Phoenix Roebellini {Die Gart., p. 160 ; March 27, 1909).— This 

 charming palm is extraordinarily vigorous and will withstand any amount 

 vol. xxxv. y- 



