Page:The Journal of Indian Botany.djvu/122

96 Wiesnerella is said to be closely related to Dumorliera on the one hand, while on the other it is connected with the typical Marchantiaccae. About the only evidence of reduction in Wiesnerella is the character of the stomata especially on the receptacles. According to the writer it connects forms of the type Marchantia with the reduced Dumortiera. In the reviewer's opinion we might even go further and say that on the Marchantia side it is related to Fegatella conica which occurs in similar moist places — in fact the two were collected by him from the same locality growing side by side on the road from Daihousie to Khajiar in the western Himalayas.

Graham, Margaret. Cenfcrosomes in Fertilisation stages of Preissia cammutata (Scop) Nees. Annals of Botany Vol. XXII. No. CXXV1I. July 1918.

The writer has studied the process of fertilisation in Preissia comnmiata at a stage when the uncleus of the antherozoid lies near the centre of the egg. The conclusion is that centrosomes as definite granular bodies are present in the fertilised egg at the time when the nuclei are paired, just as they are present in the divisions proceeding spermatogenesis and as blepharoplasts during metamorphosis.

Cribbs, J. E., A Columella in Marchantia polymorpha. Botanical Gazette. Vol. 65 No. 1 Jan. 191 8.

Cases are described and figured in which elaters were found aggregated in the centre of the capsule forming a sort of columella instead of being scatter- ed throughout the cavity which is the usual mode of their occurrence. Some of the sporogenous cells intermingled with the elaters near the centre are disorganised in the course of development. A columella of this type is said to strongly suggest the elaterophore of Pellia. The cap of sterile cells at the tip of the capsule occasionally consisting of three or four layers of cells is also described. Both these features are very interesting as they bring the structure of the capsule of Marchantia into line with the other liverworts in which these characters are met with.

Haupt, A. W., A Morphological Study of Pallavicinia Lyellii.

Botanical Gazette. Vol. LXVI No. 6 December 1918.

The structure and development of the thallus, sex organ and the sporo- gonium is described. The branching of the thallus which consists of a single prostrate portion is both apical and adventitious. It is dioecious. The antheridia occur in two rows on each side of the midrib, and each is protected from behind by an involucral upgrowth. The archegonia are in dorsal groups sorrounded by an involucre and a perianth. The lower half of the fertilised egg becomes a haustorial organ and contributes nothing to the development of the foot, seta or capsule. The calyptra is 4 or 5 cells in thickness. The differentiation of the spores and elaters follows the mothod of Symphyogyna. A sterile cap is present at the apex of the capsule and remains intact in dehiscence which takes place by means of four longitudinal slits.

S. R. KASHYAP.

Printed and Published for the Proprietor by W. L. King at the Methodist Publishing House, Mount Road, Madras.