ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
215 
a filamentous form. Analogous results were obtained with flowering 
plants (Monocotyledones and Dicotyledones), a reversion to the early form 
of leaf being brought about by unfavourable conditions of air or soil. 
In some Gymnosperms (Biota, Chamsecyparis) the young form appears 
to have become fixed. 
Geophilous Plants.* * * § — Herr 'A. Rimbach has studied the structure 
and biological phenomena of geophilous plants, i.e. of those in which 
stem-structures penetrate the soil for the purpose of assisting in the 
nutrition of the plant, or for purposes of propagation. These differ 
from one another in a variety of ways. Thus the main underground 
cauline axis may be vertical or horizontal ; it may be persistent or may 
die at an early period ; the roots may be contractile or not, and may 
break up into fragments or not ; the accumulation of reserve-material 
may be chiefly in the stem, the leaves (bulbs), or the root. Nearly allied 
species may differ widely in these respects ; while, on the other hand, 
similar biological characters may be exhibited by species in no way re- 
lated to one another. Thus Banunculus bulbosus and Gladiolus communis 
closely resemble one another in these respects ; also Anemone nemorosa 
and Paris quadrifolia; and again, Oxalis elegans and Tigridia pavonia. 
Opening of the Flower of (Enothera.j — M. L. Planchon has inves- 
tigated the phenomena connected with the sudden opening in the evening 
of the flowers of CEnothera Lamarckiana, and suggests the following 
interpretation : — At sunset the afflux of sap and decrease of transpiration 
cause a general swelling of the bud, and especially of the corolla. This 
accounts for all the phenomena of opening. By their swelling the petals 
detach the calyx, and tbe reflex of the sepals is the result of a swelling 
of their upper surface in consequence of a special anatomical arrange- 
ment. The opening and unfolding of the petals is then effected by 
further swelling of their lamina, accompanied by enlargment of the disc. 
The fall of the flower the next day is the result of dissociation of the 
cells which unite the calvcine tube with the ovary. 
Deviations in the Flower of Polygonum.J— Prof. J. W. H. Trail 
gives a description of the variations in the flower of several species of 
Polygonum , especially in P. Persicaria and aviculare . These include 
suppression of one or more of the segments of both perianth-whorls ; 
cohesion of two or more segments; chorisis of segments; cohesion, 
chorisis, and abortion of stamens ; adhesion of stamens to perianth ; and 
petalody of stamens. The variability appears to express the result of 
an innate tendency to vary where not subject to the check of loss of 
fertility. The pistil frequently exhibits reduction to two carpels ; the 
single ovule in the ovary appears to be a constant character. 
Flower and “Nipples” of Salisburia.§ — Prof. K. Fujii has studied 
the nature of the excrescences known as “ nipples ” (chichi) on the stem 
and branches of Salisburia adiantifolia (Gingko biloba ). They form 
pendent cylindrical or conical bodies on the under side of the branches, 
occurring also on the root. They are apparently formed from the coaii- 
* Ber. Deutsch. Bot. Geselh, xv. (1897) pp. 92-100. 
f Bull. Soc. Bot. France, xliii. (1896) pp. 455-76 (10 figs.). Cf. this Journal, 
1896, p. 330. X f' e P- 66th Meeting. Brit. Ass., 1896, pp. 1016-7. 
§ Bot. Mag. (Tokio), ix. (1895) pp. 440-4 (1 pi.). 
