ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
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invariably present. Xylem-parencbyme is much more frequent than 
bad previously been stated. The medullary rays are composed of from 
two to twelve layers of cells. No anatomical characters are of them- 
selves sufficient for the discrimination of the genera. 
(4) Structure of Organs. 
Inflorescences.* — M. F. Hy proposes the classification of the different 
forms of simple inflorescence under six heads, viz. : — A. Inflorescences 
with alternate bracts and pedicels : (1) The Raceme (under this head 
are included also the spike, the umbel, and the capitule), indefinite; 
(2) The Anthele, a mixed inflorescence ; (3) The Cyme, definite ; 
B. Inflorescences with opposite or verticillate bracts and pedicels : 
(4) The Thyrse, definite; (5) The Thyrsoid, a mixed inflorescence; 
(6) The Dichase, definite. Compound inflorescences may be homo- 
geneous, where the branches of different degrees reproduce the same type 
or nearly so ; or heterogeneous, where the different degrees of branching 
belong to different types. A number of examples are given of the 
different combinations, illustrated by diagrams. 
The following general remarks are appended. Inflorescences of the 
racemose type are often simple ; while antheles are usually compound. 
The cymose type is rare or altogether wanting in compound inflor- 
escences of the first degree ; it is confined to terminal branches. The 
thyrse and thyrsoid types, on the other hand, are frequent in the lower, 
rare in the higher degrees. Combinations are common between the 
thyrse, thyrsoid, and dichase. 
In another paper j the author describes in detail the various forms 
of inflorescence intermediate between the primary types. 
Morphology of the Cone of Abietmese.J — Dr. F. Noll points out 
that the male and female inflorescences of the Abietineae are not 
morphologically equivalent. The anthers are pollen-bearing leaves of 
the main axis. The scales of the female cones, on the other hand, 
originate as lateral shoots in the axils of the primary leaves, which may 
or not be persistent in the mature cone. They are, in fact, a kind of 
placenta, as has been maintained by Sachs, Eichler, and Goebel, a view 
which is greatly confirmed by a comparison with the structure of the 
leaves of the Ophioglossaceae. The view here advocated is supported 
by considerations drawn from abnormal examples. 
Dehiscence of the Fruit of the Squirting Cucumber.§ — M. E. Roze 
has investigated the conditions which give rise to the sudden expulsion 
of the ripe seeds through the opening in the fruit of Ecballium Elaterium 
caused by its detachment from its peduncle. It appears to be due to the 
great expansion of the fluid within the loculi, together with the very 
rapid increase in the size of the seeds, and a certain contraction of the 
pericarp, aided by the action of a hot sun. 
* Rev. Gen. de Bot. (Bonnier), vi. (1894) pp. 385-408 (15 figs.), 
t Op. cit., vii. (1895) pp. 5-14, 103-22 (9 figs.), 
t SB. Niederrhein. Gesell. Nat. u. Heilkunde Bonn, 1894, pp. 38-42. 
§ Journ. de Bot. (Morot), viii. (1894) pp. 308-18. 
1895 
O 
