SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
309 
writers, but are really characterised, according to Maximowicz, by the form 
of their capsules and bulb-scales. In the single experiment the pistil of 
L. bulbiferum fertilised by the pollen of L. davuricum , set fruit, but failed 
to mature it. That of L. davuricum , fertilised by the pollen of L. bulbi- 
ferum , matured well ; but, to the surprise of the observer, it formed the 
long capsule of L. bulbiferum , instead of the short one of the species. This 
is an important experiment, but it requires repetition. 
The Phcenogamous Plants of the United States east of the Mississippi , and 
the Vascular Cryptogamous Plants of North America north of Mexico . — This 
is the second edition, revised and corrected, and published now by Mr. 
B. Pickman Mann. It is, however, merely a reprint, with corrections and 
a few additions, of the catalogue known familiarly as “ Mann’s Exchange 
List,” which has been of great service to all collectors of American plants. 
Since the running numbers have not been changed, it will be possible to use 
the old and new editions interchangeably. The “ typographical and other 
errors,” which have been found and corrected, are over 150, and Mr. Mann, 
in his preface, renews his brother’s request that persons using the catalogue 
would send him notice of all errors discovered. 
A Fungus-like Growth on the Leaves of Coleus Plants has been thoroughly 
investigated by Mr. H. J. Slack, F.G.S., who has read a paper upon the 
subject before the Royal Microscopical Society. In the first place, he says, 
a number of leaves were taken from coleus plants of various colours, and 
carefully examined in their natural state, both by transmitted and reflected 
light. It became apparent that every leaf, whatever its age or tint, exhi- 
bited chiefly, if not entirely on the under surfrce, a number of globular 
bodies of a beautiful yellow colour, highly translucent and refractive, most of 
them marked with a cross like that impressed upon the well-known cross- 
bun. These bodies differed in hue from any yellow of the leaf, and they 
were distributed pretty uniformly without any regard to the variegations of 
the leaf-colouring matter. Erom damaged specimens, it was obvious that 
they were the bodies alluded to by Mr. Howse, who in a recent paper 
imagined them of fungous origin. The colour of these bodies, when looking 
healthy, and well filled with their refractive matter, varied from rich topaz 
to a pale sherry tint, and they glittered like jewels when well lit up. 
Empty cells had a rude resemblance to a mushroom in form, with a stout 
stem and a round head marked with the cross, but the texture did not look 
in the least fungoid, nor could any mycelium be discerned in or on the 
leaves. — Vide u Monthly Microscopical Journal,” May. 
Death of M. de Brebisson . — Those who are familiar with the large amount 
of work done by this gentleman will regret his death, which took place on 
April 26, in his seventy-fourth year. 
Structure of the Diatomaceous Frustule. — Professor H. L. Smith gives his 
views on this subject in the April number of the “Lens.” He believes 
that all the frustules are “ siliceous boxes,” with either one portion (the 
cover) slipping over the other, as in Pinnularia , or with edges simply op- 
posed, as in Fragilaria. If we take a frustule of Melosira, it may be com- 
pared to a pill-box — one portion slipping on to the other. The great majority 
of diatoms are thus constituted. It is perfectly evident that, in the case of 
the formation of a new valve, in the processes of self-division, this new 
