3l8 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Distribution of Conifers and Ferns in Germany, The. By 

 F. Hock {Beih. Bot. Cent. xxxi. Abt. 2, Heft i, pp. 77-110). — The 

 author gives a useful table showing the distribution of the German 

 vascular Cryptogams and Gymnosperms throughout Europe, the Alps, 

 the German Empire, and in its various provinces. The range of 

 practically every one of these species is then described, and their 

 affinities discussed. Two species of Azalea seem to have established 

 themselves in Germany, as well as Selaginella apus. 



Foresters should find the distribution here given in detail of Scots 

 Pine, Spruce, Silver Fir, and Larch of great interest, especially as the 

 author refers to most of the recent authorities on the subject. 



The author concludes that all German Conifers appear to be of 

 northern origin. In this they contrast with the vascular Cryptogams, 

 of which many are cosmopolitan, although (except Equisetum arvense) 

 they are not weeds. The Yew appears to be an ancient type now 

 in process of extinction. 



The majority of North German plants entered from the south to 

 east. Only the Atlantic or Atlantic-Mediterranean forms wandered 

 from west to east. 



The author also contrasts the distribution of Carex and Orchids. 

 Car ex appears to be the older group. Of the German species four are 

 cosmopolitan and sixteen cross the Equator. 



The Orchids of Germany contain genera which also cross the 

 tropics, but most of them seem to be of northern origin. 



Equisetum does not seem (in its present form) to be of the same 

 great antiquity as the other vascular Cryptogams. — G. F. S. E. 



Dune Plants of Holland. By Dr. J. Jeswiet {Beih. Bot. 

 Cent. xxxi. Abt. 2, Heft 2, pp. 322-372. — The author gives particulars 

 of the climatic peculiarities of the Dutch sand-dunes specially with 

 regard to light (strong sunshine), soil temperature, humidity, 

 rainfall, and wind ; he also describes the physical properties of the soil, 

 which is very different in the old as compared with young dunes. 



Fresh water accumulates in a sort of " sack " surrounded by salt 

 water, and is found to a depth of 130 metres. It is at about i to 4 

 metres below the surface. 



The author, following Massart, divides the flora into the following 

 groups : — (a) Plants (annual or biennial) which are in leaf during winter 

 {Anthriscus silvestris, Phleumarenarmm,&c.),2ind with seeds germinat- 

 ing in autumn .(b) Similar but perennial (Ranunculus bulbosus, Orchis 

 mascula, &c.). (c) April-May flowering plants, not visible above the 

 ground from June to the end of February (Ranunculus Ficaria, 

 Potentilla anserina, &c.). (d) Perennials with no underground storage 

 organs or runners (Prunella, Thyme). (e) Spring-flowering biennials 

 with long 'oots (Glaucium, Onopordon). Many of this group, e.g. 

 Anchusa cilid Echium, form rosettes on pieces of the root ; some become 

 perennial by forming buds in the axils of the leaves. Occasionally 

 an axillary bud of a biennial rosette j flowers in the first year 



