ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
209 
quantities tlie viscin-slime serves to attach the seed to the bark of a 
tree ; while in larger quantities it has the effect of retarding its germina- 
tion. The hypocotyl of Viscum album is negatively heliotropic, as also 
are those of V. articulatum and orientale, but to a less extent. At a later 
period the hypocotyl of the European species is negatively geotropic, as 
are also those of the tropical species, hut more strongly. 
Growth of Orobanche.* * * § — By means of the Baranetzky-Pfeffer 
auxanometer, Herr B. Jonsson has registered the variations in the 
rapidity of growth of several species of Orobanche that contain but little 
chlorophyll — 0. Hederse, rubens, and speciosa. In addition to the great 
period of growth, he finds irregular accelerations and retardations, 
dependent apparently on the development of the floral organs. No 
daily period could be detected. Immediately before the development of 
the first flower, there was a retardation in the growth of the main axis, 
owing to the deviation of the nutrient current from it to the lateral 
organs. When the flowers and bracts were cut away, a corresponding 
acceleration followed. 
Function of Anthocyan.f — According to Herr F. Filarsky the 
function of anthocyan is in all cases to serve as a protection, and also 
to assist in the transformation of light into heat, both in flowers and in 
fruits. 
Production, Transport, and Consumption of Reserve-Starch and 
Oil.+ — Herr K. G. Lutz discusses these subjects, especially in the case 
of the beech and pine. In the former case the removal of the buds in 
the spring caused an immediate suspension of the increase in thickness, 
the reserve-starch remaining unconsumed. In the latter case, on the 
contrary, the removal of the leaves had but little effect on the growth 
in the first year, the whole of the reserve-starch being used up. The 
new wood thus formed had the characters rather of spring than of autumn- 
wood in the dimensions of its tracheids. 
Transpiration of the Potato.§ — Herr L. Poljanec has determined by 
experiment that the periderm plays an important part in protecting the 
underlying tissues from excessive transpiration. 
Absorption of Free Nitrogen by Plants. — Herren T. Pfeiffer and 
E. Franke jj find, as the result of a series of experiments, that mustard 
has no power of absorbing free nitrogen from the atmosphere. 
Herr L. Hiltner^i confirms the statement that the root-nodules of the 
alder act in the same way as those of the Leguminosse. The microbe 
which causes the formation of the nodules acts as a parasite until the 
nodule is fully developed, after which it benefits the growth of the 
plant. 
* Acta Reg. Soc. Pliys. Lund, vi. (189.5) 23 pp. and 2 pis. See Bot. Centralbl.. 
lxiv. (1895) p. 420. 
f SB. K. Ungar. Natur.-wiss. Gesell. Buda-Pest, March 13, 1895. See Bot. 
Centralbl., lxiv. (1895) p. 157. 
X Beitr. z. wiss. Bot. (Funfstuck), i. (1895) pp. 1-80. See Bot. Centralbl., lxiv. 
(1895) p. 15. 
§ Oesterr. Bot. Zeitschr., xlv. (1895) pp. 3G9-74. 
|1 Landw. Versuclis-Stat., xlvi. (1895) pp. 117-51. See Journ. Cliem. Soc., 1895, 
Abstr., p. 521. ^ Tom. cit., pp. 153-61. See Journ. Cliem. Soc., 1895, p. 522. 
