Page:Natural History Review (1861).djvu/111

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
PHANEROGAMIA.
99

Relating chiefly to galls and monstrous growths on Tamarix, Deverra, Zygophyllum, and other eastern plants.

Frémy, E.—Recherches Chemiques surla composition des cellules végétales.—Ann. des Sciences Nat. (Bot.). Ser. iv., tom. xii. pp. 320–353. (Ext. from Comptes Rendus).

M. Frémy's observations relate chiefly to results obtained by the treatment of vegetable tissues with the ammonuret of copper, in which he finds the true cellulose layer of the cell-walls to be readily soluble together with the azotised matter which often occurs in it; while the inner deposits, having pectine as their base, are insoluble, and are left as pectate of copper, retaining the form of the original cells. M. Frémy announces the discovery of a new acid, which he terms "cellulic," comparable to malic acid, and forming soluble compounds with all bases. It is obtained by submitting the carefully washed pulp of fruits or succulent roots to the action of lime, with which it forms a cellulate, and from which it may be separated by oxalic acid. The distinctive chemical characters presented by ligneous and cortical fibrous tissue and pith are detailed. Special chapters are devoted to the chemical examination of cuticle, the composition of the prosenchyma, vessels, and medullary rays of wood; also to the composition and mode of formation of gums in vegetable organisms.

Gasparrini, G.—Ricerche sugli organi assorbente delle radice, et sulle loro escrezioni. Osservazioni sull'origine dell' embrione seminale della Lemna minor.—Napol. Mem. II.

Gray, Asa.—Note on the Species of Nissolia.—Jour. Proc. Linn. Soc. (Bot.), vol. v., pp. 25–6.

Diagnoses are given of N. Wislizeni, and N. Schottii, A. Gr.

Gris, Arthur—Observations sur la fleur des Marantées—Ann. Sc. Nat. (Bot.). Ser. iv., tom, xii., pp. 193–219, with 4 plates.

A minute account is given of the floral structure of species examined by the author in the living state in the Jardin des Plantes, with observations on the function of the staminodia in the process of fertilisation. The structure of the fruit, and especially of the seeds (of Thalia dealbata, and other species), is described in detail.

Hammar, O.—Monographia generis Fumariarum. 6 plates. 4to.—Ups. Acta. ii. 2.

Hanstein.—Ueber ein noch nicht bekanntes System schlauchförmiger Gefässe im Parenchym der Blätter. Berl. Mon. 59 (11).

Harvey, W. H.—"Thesaurus Capensis;" or, Illustrations of the South African Flora. Vol. i., Parts 3, 4. 8vo. Plates 51–100.

Pleiospora, a new genus of Leguminosæ, near Psoralea; also Tryphostemma, a genus of Passifloreæ, with flowers not larger than those of chickweed, are described and figured.

——— and O. W. Sonder.—Flora Capensis; a Systematic Description of the Plants of the Cape Colony, Caffraria, and Port Natal. Vol. 1. (Ranunculaceæ to Connaraceæ).

Hasskarl, J. K.—Hortus Bogoriensis Descriptus. Continuation. Bonplandia. viii. Jahrg., pp. 90–100. Serophulariaceæ, Solanaceæ (the