ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
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reduced ; that of the underground branches is thicker, and is composed 
of larger cells ; increase in the amount of xylem and phloem, and in the 
size of the vessels ; stronger sclerification ; greater thickness of the 
leaves ; and a stronger development of secreting tissues. 
Water-carrying Calyx.* * * § — Herr G. Kraus records another instance, 
similar to that described by Raciborski in the case of Spathodea , in 
which the calyx is transformed into a receptacle for holding water. It 
occurs in Parmentiera cereifera (Bignoniacese) in Java. Even in the 
bud-condition the calyx is filled with a clear fluid, which has a slightly 
acid reaction. The interior of the calyx (as well as other parts) is 
covered with glands, from which the fluid appears to be secreted. 
Variation in the Humber of Stamens and Carpels.f — Mr. J. H. 
Burkill records the variation in the number of these parts in a very large 
number of flowers of several different species, and concludes that it is 
generally dependent on the position of the flower on the axis. The 
earlier formed flowers on a plant possess, as a rule, a larger number of 
these organs than those formed later; and the same is true of the 
terminal flowers of a cyme and the basal flowers of a raceme. 
In another paper J similar observations are recorded on the variability 
of the number of the floral organs in Parnassia palustris. 
Achenes of Anthemidese.i — Herr G. 0. A. Malme has investigated 
the structure of the fruit of various species of this tribe of Cojnpositse, 
chiefly included in the genus Chrysanthemum , especially in relation to 
the contrivances for floating through the air. He classifies them accord- 
ing to this character under three types, viz. : — (1) The Pinardia- type, in 
which the achenes are furnished with wing-like outgrowths, consisting 
chiefly of aerenchyme ; (2) the Coleostephus-tjpe , in which, instead of 
wings, there is a crown to the achene, derived from a swelling of the 
epiderm of the ribs, this tissue excreting a mucilage, which serves to fix 
the fruit to the soil ; (3) the Pyrethrum- type, where none of these 
structures are strongly developed. 
Seed of Scitamineae. || — According to Prof. J. E. Humphrey, a micro- 
pylar collar and germinal lid are very characteristic of the seed of 
Scitamineae, though absent in Strelitzia and some other cases. Except in 
the Musaceae, the starch-bearing tissue is entirely perisperm ; in the 
MusaceoB there is an abundant starch-bearing endosperm. The develop- 
ment of a micropylar aril is another general characteristic of the 
Scitamineae. The Canneae exhibit no near affinities in the development 
of their seed to any other group of Scitamineae. In Heliconia the 
formation of a true testa and of all the special structures associated 
with it is replaced by the development of a stony endocarp. 
Saprophytic Orchideae.U — An examination of the structure of a large 
number of Orchidaceous saprophytes leads Mr. P. Groom to the 
following general conclusions. The subterranean parts of the plant 
* Flora, lxxxi. (1895) pp. 435-7. 
f Journ. Linn. Soc. (Bot.), xxxi. (1895) pp. 216-45. 
X Journ. of Bot., xxxiv. (1896) pp. 12-5. 
§ Bot. Notiser, 1895, pp. 147-52. See Bot. Centralbl., lxv. (1896) p. 205. 
|| Ann. Bot., x. (1896) pp. 1-40 (4 pis.). 
1 Journ. Linn. Soc. (Bot.), xxxi. (1895) pp. 149-215 (3 pis. and 3 figs.). 
