456 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
formed in the light in the chlorophyll-bodies are a result of the assimi- 
lating power of these latter, being one of the products of the substance 
itself of the chlorophyll-bodies, a kind of secretion from the green sub- 
stance. The resorption of the chlorophyll, which in leaves takes place 
only at the period of the autumnal fall, is almost completely effected in 
fruits before they ripen. 
The two essential phases in the life of a plant — the embryonal phase 
during which the green cell is built up at the expense of materials 
which it has not elaborated, and the adult phase in which its formative 
activity is manifested by new embryonal conditions — constitute a re- 
markable example of organic reversibility. 
Production of Sugars during the Germination of Barley.* — M. P. 
Petit states that, during the soaking of barley in the process of malting 
the proportion of reducing sugar varies only slightly, while the quantity 
of saccharose continually increases. The variation in reducing power 
represents the activity of respiration. 
Chemical Processes during the Germination of Vicia sativa.f — 
Herr D. Prianischnikow has investigated the changes which take place 
in etiolated seedlings of the vetch. The loss of nitrogen during germi- 
nation may be accounted for by the solution of a portion of the nitro- 
genous matter in the water used for softening the seeds. In the decom- 
position of the proteids, amido-compounds are chiefly formed. Of the 
amides, asparagin is formed in much the largest quantity. In the 
decomposition of the starch, cane-sugar is formed. There appears to be 
no relation between the decomposition of the proteids and that of the 
carbohydrates ; most of the former are decomposed in the first ten days, 
while the plants still contain abundance of carbohydrates. Salts of 
calcium increase the energy of the vital processes in the plant. In non- 
etiolated plants the proportion of asparagin to the other amides decreases, 
instead of increasing, during germination. 
B. CRYPTOGAMIA. 
Cryptogamia Vascularia. 
Classification of the Archegoniatge.J — Prof. L. M. Underwood pro- 
poses a classification of the Archegoniatae, the chief feature of which is 
the inclusion of the Gymnosperms in this subkingdom, and the conse- 
quent abolition of the primary division of the vegetable kingdom into 
Cryptogamia and Phanerogamia. The Archegoniatae are divided into 
three classes, the Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, and Gymnospermae. The 
next division is into orders, of which the Bryophyta comprise seven, 
viz. the Marchantiales, Jungermanniales, Anthocerotales, Sphagnales, 
Andreaeales, Archidiales, and Bryalcs ; the Pteridophyta four, viz. the 
Filicales, Equisetales, Sphenophyllales (fossil), and Lycopodiales ; and 
the Gymnospermae four, viz. the Cycadales, Cordaitales (fossil), Pinales, 
and Gnetales. Some of these orders are made up of only a single 
* Comptes Rendus, cxx. (1895) pp. 687-9. Cf. this Journal, 1894, p. 230. 
t Landwirthsch. Versuchs-Stat., xlv. (1894) pp. 247-88 (2 figs.) See Bot. 
Centralbl., 1895, Beib., p. 72. 
J Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, xxii. (1895) pp. 124-9. 
