648 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
row of ovules, the integument of the ovule corresponding to the in- 
vaginated epiderm. The degree of coalescence between nucellus and 
integument varies greatly in different classes of plants. The naked 
ovule of the Santalace£e and Balanophoracese corresponds to a pollen- 
mass. The number of rows of ovules in a carpel may vary, correspond- 
ing to the variation in the number of pollen-masses in each anther-lobe. 
The non-marginal placentation of Papaver and Nymphsea may be com- 
pared to the distribution of the pollen-masses over the whole upper 
surface of the staminal leaf in Viscum. 
(2) Nutrition and Growth (including- Germination, and Movements 
of Fluids). 
Propagation by Buds.* — Prof. F. Delpino discusses the relative im- 
portance to plants of propagation by means of buds and by intercrossing, 
with especial reference to the former phenomenon in Pemusatia vivipara 
(Aroideae). He regards one great value of reproduction by seeds to be 
that they are frequently carried to a considerable distance from the 
mother plant before they germinate. While it is of advantage for the 
product of two different parents to be carried to a distance before ger- 
minating, this is not the case when the offspring traces its origin to 
one parent only, whether reproduced by buds or by seeds. 
Germination of Loranthacese.f — According to Mr. F. W. Keeble 
the statement that the seeds of the Loranthaceae pass through the bodies 
of birds before germinating is not in all cases correct. At all events, 
with the species of Lorantlius which are natives of Ceylon, the birds eat 
the succulent portion of the fruit only, wiping out the seeds with their 
beak on to a branch of a tree ; or, if swallowed, the seeds are frequently 
digested and destroyed. In some species the free end of the hypocotyl 
or sucker by which the seedling is attached to the branch puts out one 
or more aerial roots, which reach other branches, or even the soil, and 
enable the young plant to carry on a semi-parasitic existence. The 
hypocotyl exhibits negative heliotropism, but no geotropism. The curva- 
ture of the hypocotyl is assisted by a decided nutation. The general 
surface of the hypocotyl does not respond to contact ; contact, however, 
favours the outgrowth of the root. The hypocotyl curves away from 
inert bodies, and even from its natural host, when reached at unfavourable 
times. 
Growth in Length of the Organs of Aquatic Plants.; — Pursuing 
his observations on the growth of the leaf-stalk of water plants, especially 
of Euryale ferox , Prof. G. Arcangeli adduces further arguments in 
support of the theory that it is the result of the traction due to the lower 
specific gravity of the leaf as compared to that of water ; and this dif- 
ference is often not inconsiderable. 
Growth of Pine-Leaves. § — Contrary to the statement of previous ob- 
servers, M. S. Honda asserts that the leaves of pines ( Pinus longifolia 
* Mem. R. Accad. Sci. Bologna, v. (1895) pp. 271-9 (1 pi.). See Bot. Centralbl., 
lxvii. (1896) p. 389. 
f Trans. Linn. Soc. (Bot.), v. (1896) pp. 96-117 (2 pis. and 5 figs.). 
t Bull. Soc. Bot. Ital., 1896, pp. 116-9. Cf. this Journal, 1890, p. 630. 
§ Bull. Imp. Univ. Tokyo, Coll, of Agric., ii. (1896) pp. 390-1. 
