Notes . 
611 
ON A SUSPENSOR IN HELMINTHOSTACHYS ZEYLANICA.—In an 
account of the prothallus and young plant of Helminthostachys published in vol. xvi of 
the Annals of Botany the description of the embryo was omitted owing to lack of 
material. The few arrested embryos which were found only showed that ‘ the young 
embryo soon becomes deeply seated \ Re-examination of these embryos suggested- 
that their likeness to those of Botrychium obliquum , as figured by Bower 1 from pre¬ 
parations of H. Lyon, might be due to the development of a suspensor in Helmintho¬ 
stachys. The study of serial sections of a number of young plants still attached to 
the prothallus has fully confirmed this interpretation. A multicellular suspensor, 
in which two tiers can be distinguished, appears to be constantly present. It closely 
resembles that of B. obliquum as figured by Lyon, 2 but in Helmmthostachys the plant 
is attached to the prothallus by a large foot. 
A full account of this feature of the young plant will shortly be given. It seems 
advisable, however, to complete the account of the young plant already published, by 
recording the fact of the existence of a suspensor without delay. This is especially the 
case since the discovery of a suspensor in the embryos of Botrychium obliquum and 
I)anaea z has shown that this organ is not a peculiarity of the Lycopodiales among the 
Vascular Cryptogams, and directed attention to its significance. 
Cryptogamic Research Laboratory, 
Manchester University. 
WILLIAM H. LANG. 
PRELIMINARY NOTE ON PERIDERM FORMATION IN FILICINEAN 
PETIOLES. —The discovery of a typical wound periderm in a Medullosean petiole, 
an account of which is to appear shortly, has led to the investigation of a number of 
Filicinean petioles, mostly of the Polypodiaceae, with a view to determining whether 
a similar response is exhibited by these. 
The results have proved extremely interesting, a surprisingly large number 
showing a well-marked wound cambium, often several cells in depth. 
As the experiments are still being continued with a view to obtaining as com¬ 
plete a series as possible, and will take some considerable time, it has been thought 
advisable to publish this preliminary note in order to briefly indicate the results. 
H. S. HOLDEN. 
University College, Nottingham. 
1 Land Flora , p. 472, Fig. 266. 2 Bot. Gazette, xl. 1905, p. 455. 
Campbell, Ann. of Bot. xxiii, p. 691. 
J Annals of Botany, Vol. XXIV. No. XCV. July, 1910 ] 
T t 
