5S8 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
used up in the development of tlie flower. Tlie mestome is in all cases 
but feebly developed. 
The authoress holds that the structure of the petals does not support 
the theory that they are in all cases abortive or metamorphosed stamens ; 
their great variety of form has resulted from the mutual functions of 
insects and corolla in bringing about pollination. 
Morphology of the Cabombacese and Nymphseaceae.* * * § — M. M. Ra- 
ciborski has studied the morphology of the genera of Cabombaceae 
( Cabomba , Brasenia ) and Nymphoeaceae ( Nupliar , Nymplisea, Euryale, 
Victoria), and enters into detail with regard to their comparative 
anatomy, especially that of the growing point. The carpels, sepals, 
foliage-leaves, and internodes are covered with mucilage-producing hairs 
which contain a pigment of undetermined composition to which the 
author gives the name myriophyllin. The dorsal mode of attachment of 
the ovules is peculiar to Brasenia and to a single genus of Resedacese. 
Embryo of Phanerogams.f — Dr. R. Schmid has examined the 
position of the embryo, and the mode in which the first division takes 
place, in 124 species of flowering plants belonging to 64 orders (57 of 
Dicotyledons, 7 of Monocotyledons). With regard to terminology, the 
author applies the term longitudinal axis to the line drawn through the 
middle of the embryo-sac and the micropyle ; median plane to that which 
passes through the middle of the funicle and the longitudinal axis of 
the ovule ; the anterior part of the embryo-sac is the micropylar end ; 
the median plane of the cotyledons is that which divides each cotyledon 
symmetrically. 
The general conclusions arrived at are that, whatever may be the 
position occupied by the ripe seed or seeds within the seed-vessel, this 
does not affect either the position or the anatomical structure of the 
embryo, and that the relative position in which the various organs are 
formed in the embryo is independent of its position within the seed. 
Endosperm of Phytelephas and Smilacina.f — Mr. J. L. Zabriskie 
describes the structure of the endosperm of Phytelephas macrocarpa 
(vegetable ivory) and Smilacina racemosa. The former shows, on trans- 
verse section, concentric circles sweeping round the longitudinal axis of 
the nut. The latter is composed of a very homogeneous mass of 
irregularly globular or ellipsoidal cells with greatly thickened cell- 
walls, and is, like the former, remarkably hard. 
Aerial Roots of Epiphytes.§ — Dr. F. A. F. C. Went has made a 
comparative study of the aerial roots — performing the function either of 
attachment or of nutrition — of a large number of tropical epiphytes 
belonging to many different natural orders. The function of these roots 
may differ even in species belonging to the same genus. 
The attachment may be effected either by long cord-like roots growing 
nearly horizontally, or by temporary very sensitive roots, or by temporary 
roots which ramify greatly and form a disc-like structure. The nutritive 
roots are subject to less variation. The author proposes the term pseud- 
* Flora, lxxviii. (1894) pp. 244-79 (9 figs.). 
f Bot. Centralbl., lviii. (1894) pp. 1-7, 33-41, 81-9, 113-9 (1 pi.). 
% Journ. New York Mier. Soc., x. (1894) pp. 14-G (1 pi.). 
§ Ann. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, xii. (1894) pp. 1-72 (2 pis.). 
