318 
901. Rosen, F. Eemerkungen uber die Bedeutung der Heterogamie fiir die Bildung und 
Erhaltung der Arten im Anschluss an zwei Arbeiten von W. Burck. <Bot. Zeit., 
49 .Talirg., Leipzig, Mar. 27., 1891, pp. 201-211, April 3, 1891, pp. 217-226. 
Author considers the following works by W. Burck, “ Ueber Kleistogamie im weiteren 
Sinne und das Ivnight-Darwin’scbe Gesetz” (Annales du Jardin Botanique de Buitenzorg, 
vol. vii, pp. 122-164, taf. 4) and “Eenige bedenkingen tegen de theorie van Weismann 
aangaande de beteekenis der sexueele voortplanting in verband met de wet van Kniglit- 
Darwin” (Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nerlerlandsch Indie, Diel xlix (achtste serie, diel 
x, pp. 501-544, pi. i). Discusses the importance of cross-fertilization in plants and also 
Weismaun’s theory that variability depends on sexual reproduction. Most of the article 
discusses phanerogams, but on p. 225 he adduces the alga-like fungi as an example of plants 
which have sexual propagation and Basidiomycetes as example of a variable group, rich in 
species, which propagate exclusively by asexual means. Mentions that these fungi are 
chemically and histologically much differentiated. Mentions Uredinese as progenitors of 
Basidiomycetes. Opposes the Kniglit-Darwin law and Weismann’s theory. (W. T. S.) 
902. Snow, F. H. Experiments for the destruction of chinch bugs in the field by the artifi¬ 
cial introduction of contagious diseases. <Insect Life, vol. in, Washington', Mar., 
1891, pp. 279-284. 
Gives details of experiments made in 1889 and 1890 to spread an infectious disease. Three 
diseases were noticed, one caused by Entomophthora or Empusa , one by a Micrococcus , and 
the third by a species of Isaria or Trichoderma. Numerous letters are quoted giving details 
of success of the work. (J. F. J.) 
903. Stoller, Jas. H. Studies in plant biology. II.—The green mold. <Pop. Science 
News, vol. xxv, Boston, Mar., 1891, pp. 33-34, 2 cols. 
Describes briefly in popular language the biology of Penicillium glaucum. (D. G. F.) 
9©i. Straton, C. R. The value of attractive characters to fungi. <Science Gossip, No. 
314, London, Feb., 1891, pp. 44-45. 
Quotation ot an article in “Nature,” noticing the colors and odors of fungi, and advancing 
the idea that these are characters for attracting insects and animals to aid in the multiplica¬ 
tion ot the species. Says it is necessary for spores of Agaricus campestris to pass through 
the bodies of animals before they will germinate and produce mycelial threads. Believes 
this to be the case with other species also. (J. F. J.) 
905. Van Breda de Haan, J. Les Experiences de M. Beyerinck sur les Bacteries lumi- 
neuses et leur nutrition. <Rev. gene. sci. pure et appli., 2 e ann., Paris, Feb. 
15, 1891, pp. 81-82. 
Taper based partly on memoirs in Archives neerlandaises des sciences exactcs et naturelles, 
tome xxiii, and partly on unpublished data furnished by the author. Six species of Photo- 
bacterium are distinguished, Ph. phosphorescens, indicum , luminosum , halticum , fischeri , and 
pjlugeri. The first renders fish phosphorescent, the second is found in the waters of the In¬ 
dian Ocean, the third on the coasts of Holland, and the others in the Baltic Sea. Beyerinck’s 
culture methods are described, and especially a new method called auxauographie, Avhereby 
he is able to study .the exact effect of nutrient substances simply or in combination. The 
phosphorescence can be produced or eliminated at will without destruction of the organisms, 
and is believed to be an accidental consequence of internal chemical processes. Different 
forms can be separated by their behavior toward diastases. Hecently these photobacteria 
have been used to show that the Chamberland filter is germ-proof. (E. F. S.) 
906. Van Tieghem, M. D. Prix Montagne (Commissaires: MM. Duchartre, Tr6cul, Chatin, 
Bornet; Van Tieghem, rapporteur). <Compt. rend. Acad. d. sc., vol. cxm, 
Paris, Dec. 21,1891, pp. 920-922. 
Notes the granting ot this academic prize to Henri Jumelle for a manuscript memoir en¬ 
titled, Recherches physiologiques sur les Lichens. This investigation was carried on in the 
laboratory of vegetable biology instituted by the faculty of sciences of Paris in the forest of 
Fontainebleau. M. J. devoted himself especially to the study of the exchange of gases taking 
place between lichens and the air under varying degrees of light, humidity, and heat. In 
obscurity both components of the lichen respire, and the respiratory quotient q- is alwavs 
less than unity, about 0.8 oxygen is fixed. In light, the assimilation of carbon, exclusively 
through the chlorophyll of the alga, predominates over respiration, although the latter con¬ 
tinues in both alga and fungus. This predominance varies greatly according to the species 
and is less noticeable in proportion as the alga occupies less space. In fruticulose and 
f(filaceous lichens it is strong and very noticeable even in diffused light. In crustaceous 
lichens it is feeble and only manifest in the sun. In all cases the quotient of assimilation 
C0 2 is S reater than on e and may rise to 1.5,1.6, or even 1.8, a part of the liberated oxygen is 
therefore borrowed from some other source than the carbon dioxide of the air. Fruticulose 
and foliaceous lichens contain relatively little water, at most only four times their dry 
weight, and can not lose this without injury. Gelatinous lichens contain much water, even 
twenty-four times their dry weight, and can lose it all without injury. Moistened after 
complete drying they again take up the normal exchange of gases. Lichens bear great 
variations of temperature without injury. They are unchanged after three days at 45° C. 
after fifteen hours at 50°, after five hours at 60°. At these temperatures their respiration 
continues normal, but assimilation ceases after one day at 45°, three hours at 50°, and thirty 
minutes at 60°. Elevated temperatures therefore suppress the assimilation of carbon with¬ 
out diminishing the respiration— i. e., change the alga without affecting the fun ,T us. Lich* 
8 Z W sl8t ve D lo . w temperatures, even below —40°. At —10° respiration is very feeble • 
at — H) it ceases entirely. On the contrary, the assimilation of carbon not only continues art 
