G 2 
T1IE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
disc, the expanding tips of the rhizoids themselves interlocking 
mechanically. (iii) Stunted procumbent branches develop at the 
base of the plant, which function specially in the formation of attach¬ 
ment rhizoids. (iv) Corticate species having an upright habit develop 
a large disc-like expansion by the longitudinal proliferation of basal 
siphons and corticating cells. The genus is divided into thirteen 
ecorticate and eleven corticate species, and P. spiralis is described 
for the first time. 
At the meeting of the Linnean Society on Jan. 18, Captain G. 
H. Wilkins gave an account of the Shackleton-Bowett Expedition in 
the * Quest ’ to the Antarctic Begions. On St. Paul’s Pocks no 
plants save a few algse were found, but at St. Georgia, an island about 
100 miles long and 20 miles broad, a considerable collection was 
made, though the flora is fairly well known ; and reindeer thrive. 
Lichens and mosses only were observed on Elephant Island; Tristan 
da Cunha was visited and 16 species gathered; Gough Island is 
known from the ‘ Scotia ’ reports; the most conspicuous member of 
the flora is Phylica arborea , growing to 20 feet; a variety of 
Sophora tetraptera is now described. Tussock-grass, ferns, and Pm- 
petram grow luxuriantly, and a new species of Apium allied to 
A. australe Thouars, but having broad cuneiform segments to the 
leaves, is described. The specimens have been presented to the 
British Museum by Mr. J. Q. Powett. Mr. E. G. Baker followed 
with a resume of the flora of Gough Island, 20 flowering plants and 
10 ferns being now known from it. Amongst these may be named 
the endemic Cotula goughensis , Hydrocotyle leucocephala , Gnapha- 
lium py rami dale, llumex frutescens , and Empetrum nigrum var. 
rubrum. The only small trees on the island are the Phylica and 
Sophora previously mentioned. 
Professor C. S. Sargent has completed his fifty years Director¬ 
ship of the Arnold Arboretum, and has reprinted from its Journal an 
account of his stewardship. The Arboretum was established by funds 
bequeathed by James Arnold, a merchant of New Bedford, Mass., 
who died in December 1869, who “ gave one and one-quarter of the 
twenty-four parts into which he divided his residuary estate ” to 
trustees, by whom it was to he “ applied for the promotion of agri¬ 
cultural or horticultural improvements or other philosophical or 
philanthropic purposes.” “Two of the three trustees were interested 
in trees ; ... it was natural that the idea of a scientific station for 
the study and cultivation of trees should have occurred to them, and 
they fortunately realized that such an institution could be perma¬ 
nently and safely controlled by Harvard College.” An estate was 
acquired and Mr. Sargent was appointed Director: “ he found him¬ 
self with a worn-out farm, partly covered with natural plantations of 
native trees ruined by excessive pasturage, to be developed into a 
scientific garden with less than three thousand dollars a year available 
for the purpose.” Of the various stages of that development and of 
the position which the Arboretum has now attained, the pamphlet 
under notice gives a full account. We may be permitted to con¬ 
gratulate Prof. Sargent on his great achievement, and on the fact 
that he lias lived to celebrate and to chronicle its jubilee. 
