Also. . .

* Mentor Graphics Corp., which makes computer system testing equipment, launched an unsolicited $216-million bid for San Jose-based Quickturn Design Systems Inc., saying an acquisition would end a legal feud between the companies. Wilsonville, Ore.-based Mentor offered $12.125 per share of Quickturn, which also makes design test products and is in the midst of a legal battle with Mentor over certain patents. Quickturn said it was reviewing the offer and would have no immediate response. However, its stock jumped sharply, up $3.03 to close at $11.03 on Nasdaq, after the bid was announced. Mentor shares rose 13 cents to close at $9.38, also on Nasdaq.

* Roger N. Beachy, a prominent plant scientist at Scripps Research Institute known for innovations in virus-resistant plants, has been named director of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis. The $146-million center, scheduled to open in 2000, is being jointly planned by Missouri Botanical Garden of St. Louis, Monsanto Co. and Washington University, among others.