Description: A phytosociological survey based on methods of the Z\xc3\xbcrich-Montpellier School was carried out in the p\xc3\xa1ramo vegetation of the Cordillera Oriental, Colombia. The study area covers about 10,000 and comprises the p\xc3\xa1ramo between the Nevado de Sumapaz (3\xc2\xb055\'N, 4250 m), the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy (6\xc2\xb025\'N, 5493 m) and the P\xc3\xa1ramo del Almorzadero (7\xc2\xb0N, 4375 m). The p\xc3\xa1ramo vegetation was studied along various altitudinal transects from the upper forest line (3000-3500 m) up to the lower limit of the snowcap (4800 m). A general description of the study area includes data on geology, geomorphology, soils, climate, flora, phytogeography, morphological characters of the vegetation, fauna and landuse. The evolution and Quaternary history of p\xc3\xa1ramo vegetation and climate is reviewed, incorporating the first data from the Lateglacial and Holocene of the P\xc3\xa1ramo de Sumapaz. The general altitudinal zonation of the p\xc3\xa1ramo vegetation was studied and is presented for both the dry and the humid side of the Cordillera. The zonal and azonal plant communities are described including their physiognomy, composition and syntaxonomy, habitat and distribution. Eighty five syntaxa from the rank of variant to that of the class are newly described, 17 of which are provisional. The vegetation is not ranked syntaxonomically yet, but described on the basis of preliminary tables. A number of azonal communities, part of them of lesser extent, are described in a similar way. The p\xc3\xa1ramo vegetation is primarily determined by the tropical diurnal high mountain climate. The diversity of the p\xc3\xa1ramo vegetation is related to temperature (altitudinal gradient) and to humidity (dry and wet climate). The presence of zonal bunchgrass p\xc3\xa1ramo, bamboo-bunchgrass p\xc3\xa1ramo or bamboo p\xc3\xa1ramo mainly depends on the complex interrelation between these factors. Finally a synthesis is provided on ecology, morphology and phytogeography of the p\xc3\xa1ramo vegetation of the study area.

Description: Apocynaceae wanted \xe2\x80\x94 pickled. Mary E. Fallen, Systematische Botanik, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008 Z\xc3\xbcrich, Switzerland, who has done considerable morphological work on development of the reproductive organs in Apocynaceae, has been frustrated in her many efforts to obtain suitable material of Lepinia and Lepiniopsis. Ample information on both can be found in Pacific Plant Areas 3, Blumea Suppl. 5 (1966) 112-113, with map and description. The very oddly shaped fruit of Lepinia (W. Pacific) has been depicted in Blumea 11 (1962) 302, Van Steenis\xe2\x80\x99s paper on the Land Bridge Theory. The one of Lepiniopsis (E. Malesia) seems to be buoyant. Also material of Anechites (Central America) is needed; it may be closely related to Condylocarpon.\nAny stages of flowers can be used, from tiny green buds at initiation up through anthesis, as well as fruiting stages. They should be pickled in FAA. Expenses of handling and postage will gladly be refunded. Vials with the liquid can be provided. Thanks on her behalf!

Description: ARMSTRONG, J.A., J.M. POWELL & A.J. RICHARDS (eds.), Pollination and Evolution, vii + 108 pp. (1982, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney). $A 15.00 plus postage.\nThis publication is the edited text of nine out of eleven papers read at a symposium on pollination biology during the 13th International Botanical Congress in Sydney, August 1981. The majority of the papers deal with Australian plants and animals. A.J. Beattie discusses the paucity of ant pollination systems in contrast to the abundance in ant dispersal systems. From Vivienne Turner we learn that 25 out of 119 Australian marsupials are known to visit flowers, but only few actually play a role in pollination, mainly in Myrtaceae and Proteaceae. G.J. Keighery discusses bird pollination in Western Australia and D.C. Patton the influence of honeyeaters on flowering strategies of Australian plants. \xe2\x80\x94 M.M.J, van Balgooy.

Description: ANDERSON, J.A.R., A checklist of the trees of Sarawak, 364 pp. (1983, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Cawangan Sarawak, for Forest Department, Kuching, Sarawak). Cloth Mal$ 15.00.\nWhen Dr. Anderson retired from the Forest Department in 1973 he left the manuscript of this checklist for publication. Unfortunately publication was delayed for 10 years. It contains data on over 2500 arboreous plant species. The text consists mainly of two parts: the first is a list of vernacular names with their scientific equivalents, the second is a list of plant names alphabetically arranged by family. Each species is concisely annotated with its vernacular name(s), maximum diameter, ecology, frequency, soils, etc. Species names have been coded: the first two figures are for the family, the next two for the genus and the last two for the species. A list is given of the trees of the peat-swamp forests of which Anderson was a great expert. A small draw-back is that the literature of the last ten years has not been included. Nevertheless this is a most helpful book. \xe2\x80\x94 C.G.G.J. van Steenis.