NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



379 



impregnated with the proper fungus spores for each genus of orchids, and 

 thus permit of their practical introduction on proper hues. — C. T. D. 



Oxidase-eontent of Plant Juices, The Measurement of the. 



By Herbert H. Bunzel, Ph. D. {V.SA. Dep. Agr., Bur. PI. Ind., Bull. 

 238, 1912). — The main object of this Bulletin is to describe a new 

 method for the estimation of oxidases in plant juices. The method 

 entails the use of an elaborate thermostat apparatus, which is fully 

 described and figured. 



The practical application of the method to the study of curly-top 

 of beets showed that the oxydase-content in the diseased leaves 

 exhibited wide variations, and was markedly greater than in the 

 normal leaves. The normal leaves showed a fairly constant oxidase- 

 eontent.— D. M. C. 



Palestine, New Plants from. By J. Bornmiiller (Beih. Bot. 

 Gent. Bd. 29, Abt. ii. Heft 1, pp. 12-15). — The author describes new 

 species of Glaucium and Salsola. CEnothera " Drummondi Hook." is 

 widely spread on the dunes at Jaffa and elsewhere, and appears to 

 be fully established. It is perennial, not annual, in Palestine. 



G. F. S. E. 



Panda oleosa (Pierre), an Oily Seeded Tree of West Africa. 



By A. Engler {Not. Konig. Bot. Berlin, vol. v. No. 49, pp. 274-276; 

 June 1912; 1 page of figs.). — A full description is 'given of this tree 

 which reaches a height of 10-15 metres. The seeds yield an oil which 

 is employed 'for culinary purposes in South Cameroon. The tree was 

 first found at Libreville in Gaboon by E. P. Klaine, and described by 

 Pierre in 1896. It was named Panda from its local name in the 

 Gaboon district {m'panda). It has also been found growing in Spanish 

 Guinea. Zenker found it quite abundant on the shore of Lokundje, 

 I and in the evergreen rain-forests of Bipindi in South Gameroon. — R. B. 



Panicums used for Food in Ancient Eg-ypt. By Dr. Fritz 



Neolitzky {Beih. Bot. Cent. Bd. 29, Abt. ii. Heft 1, pp. 1-11; 2 figs.). 



The author examined with the microscope remnants of food found in 

 various mummies from prehistoric Egypt. The mummies were dis- 

 ■ covered near Girga, in Upper Egypt, and are supposed to have lived 

 between 4500 and 3000 B.C. 



He finds that the seed of Panicum colonum was eaten, and on 

 ' account of the quantity found without intermixture with other seeds 

 considers that it was probably cultivated. There is no proof of the 



i| use of Panicum miliaceum or Setaria italica. Panicum frumentaceum 

 is a species allied to P.. colonum, not a race either of this last or of 

 P. Crus Gain. 

 , Our present cultivated plants are a selection from many once used, 

 as, e.g., Panicum colonum., Digitaria sanguinalis, Glyceria fluitans, 

 Bromus mango. Polygonum Convolvulus, and Chenopodium album. 

 •' ■ ' Gyperus esculentiis was also used by th^ jprehistorlc Egyptians, 

 ^ ivand. many remnants were discovered. — G. F. S. E. 



