ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
549 
observation as confirming Strasburger’s view that the antipodal cells are 
homologous with the endosperm of Gymnosperms. 
Sexual Organs of Convolvulus arvensis.* — Dr, K. Schilberszky 
-calls attention to the heterandry of this plant ; a considerable number 
of flowers have stamens smaller than the ordinary size. This is not 
the result of degeneration, since the two forms of flower may be found 
on the same plant. The shorter stamens have sepia-brown instead of 
white or light violet anthers. The micrandrous flowers were found to 
be invariably infested by a parasitic fungus which the author names 
ThecapJiora Convolvuli; and the parasite is present not only in the 
•expanded but also in the unopened flowers. The suggested genus 
Pantocsekia is probably only a Convolvulus in which further degenera- 
tion, both of the stamens and of the corolla, has been caused by the 
attacks of a Thecaphora. 
( 2 ) Nutrition and Growth (including Germination, and Movements 
of Fluids). 
Abnormal Germination. — Herr A. Winkler f has collected together 
all the examples known of abnormal modes of germination. Cotyledons 
are wanting in Ranunculus Ficaria, Corydalis Bulbocampnos , and Cuscuta ; 
while Ranunculus glacialis and Carum Bulbocastanum have only one 
•cotyledon. Subterranean germination takes place in a number of 
plants. In others either the cotyledons themselves or their pedicels 
form a sheath which encloses the growing point ; while a coalescence of 
the lamina of the cotyledons takes place also in jFsculus Hippocastanum. 
Beratophyllum, and all species of Linum except L. flavum, have apparently 
four cotyledons. A number of examples are also recorded of deviations 
from the ordinary form of cotyledons, of inequality in the size of the two 
cotyledons, and of abnormalities in the development of the seedling. 
Dr. F. Tognini J describes an instance of abnormal germination in 
the sweet chestnut, where the radicle, instead of emerging from the apex 
of the fruit, had pierced the comparatively firm wall of the pericarp at a 
point about two-thirds of the distance from the apex. There was no 
irregularity in the ovary, nor in the structure of the radicle. 
Distribution of Leguminosae.§ — Herr J. Buchwald describes the 
means of distribution of the Leguminosae of Tropical Africa in connec- 
tion with their geographical area and the nature of their habitat. In 
1 those species which are dependent for the distribution of the seeds on 
the elastic rupture of the pod, the seeds cannot be carried to any great 
distance, and these species are mostly endemic. The wind acts as agent 
for the carriage of the fruit of a number of species, though not, in the 
case of the Leguminosae, of the seeds by themselves. Animals, especially 
birds, also take their part in the distribution. 
Influence of Climatic Conditions on the Growth of Fir~.'| — M. E. 
Mer has studied the effect on the pine-forests in the Vosges of the very 
* Bot. Centralbl., Ixii. (1895) pp. 342-6. 
t Verhandl. Bot. Ver. Prov. Brandenburg, xxxvi. (1895) pp. 125-40. 
X Malpighia, ix. (1895) pp. 117-8 (1 fig.). 
§ Bot. Jahrb. (Engler), xix. (1891) pp. 494-561. See Bot. Centralbl., Ixii. 
(1895) p. 239. 
|1 Journ. de Bot. (Morot), ix. (1895) pp. 178-80, 202-6, 222-8, 229-33, 247-55. 
1895 2 o 
