i Note and Comment. l 
\\ ANTED.— Short notes of interest to the general botan- 
ist are always in demand for this department. Our read- 
ers are mvited to make this the place of pubhcation for their 
botanical notes. It should be noted that the magazine is 
issued as soon as possible after the Hfteenth of each month. 
Insects as Aids to Fi xgl- The plant world is often 
d-A-uIed by btjtanists into the two groups of seed-plants and 
spore-plants, or. as we cornmotdv call them Phanero^r-inis 
and Cryptogams. The distinction is leased upm the fact 
that one division is reproduced by seeds, while the other 
efiects the same end by spores. The seed is a familiar ob- 
ject ; as an example nf s}>.res. the dust-like particle.' com- 
r^^sing the -smt^ke" of puffballs may be mentioned. The 
seeds are rarely distributed by insects-riowering plants 
tind tlie wmd, water, birds and mammals more useful— but 
tlie six,re-plams. which may also make use oi the wind and 
water, - .tten seem to siKciaily invite the insects. Tlie ergot 
fungus ut r^e provides a sugarv solution with its summer 
spares, to induce insects to carrj- them a1>out. and some of 
si>c>res of rusts are similarly e(|uipi>ed. In the carrion 
die sp 
the offensive 
sp)re-niass attracts Hies, 
ing upon the stickv spores, carrv ma 
-=eir lesrs and hnlks. Although v.e 
• ^een seed-plant, an.l ^i^re-plant... t 
-plants tbat are n- ^t. re^plants also. 
