85 
The Classification of the Algae. 
much stretch of imagination be considered reconstructed stem- 
forms, which inhabited Greater New Zealand or elsewhere during 
the earlier Pliocene or earlier still. As to whether, the normal 
spiny form of the Discaria ana the artificial spineless form, i.e. the 
prolonged seedless-form, are really two distinct species, or merely 
the two extremes of one variable species, opens up far too wide a 
question for consideration here. It is obvious however, that the 
presence of either or both in a region would be entirely a matter 
of climate, station and competition with other plants and animals. 
In conclusion, I must express my thanks to Professor Charles 
Chilton, D Sc. for his kindness in allowing me to use the moist 
chamber of the Biological School, Canterbury College, Christ¬ 
church, New Zealand, for the completion of the above mentioned 
experiment. 
Wellington, New Zealand, 
fan. 23rd, 1905. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES ON PLATE II. ILLUSTRATING 
DR. L. COCKAYNE’S PAPER ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SPINES 
IN DISC ARIA TOMATOU. 
Fig 1. —Photograph of seedling plant of Discaria after twelve months’ culture 
in moist chamber. On left is adult shoot placed on pot for purposes 
of comparison with seedling. 
Fig. 2.—Photograph of Discaria in characteristic habitat. Fan of Creek from 
Mr. Torlesse, Eastern climatic region of Canterbury, S, Island of N.Z. 
Altitude about 700m. (Both photographs by the Author). 
THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE ALGAE. 
A Review of Professor Oltmanns’ Recent Book . 1 
A FTER the large amount of work of all kinds that has been 
published on the Algae, more particularly on the green forms 
and on the plant-like Flagellata, during the last fifteen years, a 
putting together of the results in one or more general works has 
become urgently necessary to enable the student to appreciate the 
1 Morphologic und Biologic der Algen, von Dr. Friedrich 
Oltmanns. Erster Band, Spezieller Theil. Gustav. Fischer, 
Jena, 1904. Pp. VI. and 733, with 476 figures in the text. 
