NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



The embryo flower (sterile) of M. Enseie is at first actinomorphic 

 with all the circles of three members represented (in principle that 

 of the Tulip) , but the mature flower is zygomorphic with the number 

 of members unlike in different circles of the same flower. In other 

 species the flower is from the first zygomorphic. 



The primordial rudiment of the fertile flowers is more favourably 

 situated and larger than that of the sterile flower. The size of the 

 median inner stamen seems also to be regulated by the form of the 

 cross-section of the flower and by the degree of interference or restric- 

 tion during development. 



The pollen of M. Ensete germinates whilst still in the anther ; 

 the pollen formation and even the number of chromosomes seem to 

 be variable in some cultivated varieties. 



The excentric position of the style is due to the unequal growth 

 of the flower ; in consequence of this, the openings or honey-canals 

 are formed. The number of ovules is greatly increased in the more 

 specialized species. The nectaries are believed by the author to be 

 rudiments of a second circle of carpels. 



The author lays special stress on the effects of restriction during 

 growth upon development ; this is produced by the peculiar arrangement 

 of the bracts and inflorescence. 



There are many other details regarding the structure of the banana 

 flower, for which reference must be made to the original. — G. F. S. E. 



Bean, The Production of the Lima. By G. W. Shaw and 

 M. E. Sherwin {U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Berkeley, Cal., Bull. 224 ; Nov. 

 1911). — ^There is a total acreage of about 82,850 acres devoted to the 

 Lima Bean {Phaseolus lunatus) in California, which produced 1,160,000 

 sacks of beans in 1910. Land which is known to be suitable to the 

 cultivation of the Lima Bean fetches special prices. The area of its 

 profitable cultivation is limited to a certain extent by soil, as it is 

 intolerant of alkali, for instance; but a more important factor is 

 climate. It suffers more from frost than the common kidney bean 

 even, and as it is a late-maturing plant it is often caught in the 

 Eastern and Northern States by early autumn frosts, and in California 

 by early autumn rains, which cause a portion of the crop to rot in 

 the field. 



The writers seem specially anxious to bring out that while cultural 

 methods at present practised in Cahfornia are all that could be desired, 

 there is much need for more rigorous seed selection. — M. L. H, 



Berberis Darwinii and others. By S. Mottet {Rev. Horf., pp. 

 525-7, Nov. 16, 1913 ; coloured plate and i ill.). — An interesting 

 article on the tribe generally, with list and descriptions of the best. 

 The coloured plate shows three varieties : B. Darwinii, orange yellow 

 B. stenophylla Irwinii, bright yellow ; and B. s. corallina, bright red. 



C. T. D. 



