ABSTRACTS 



Authors of scientific papers are requested to see that abstracts, preferably 

 prepared and signed by themselves, are forwarded promptly to the editors. Each 

 of the scientific bureaus in Washington has a representative authorized to for- 

 ward such material to this journal and abstracts of official publications should 

 be transmitted through the representative of the bureau in which they originate. 

 The abstracts should conform in length and general style to those appearing in 

 this issue. 



METEOROLOGY. — The temperature at Mount Weather, Va. and adja- 

 cent valley stations. Alfred J. Henry. Mount Weather Bulletin 

 4: 310-341. 1911. 



The simultaneous mountain and valley temperatures as obtained 

 by automatic registers are reported upon in some detail. It is shown 

 that the variations of temperature betAveen the mountain top and the 

 valley below are not wholly dependent upon slope and topography 

 but vary to a great extent with the weather conditions. 



Attention is also directed to the temperature changes in the free air 

 above Mount Weather from hour to hour and from day to day, as dis- 

 closed by kite flights. The belief is expressed that the temperature 

 of the free air is largely controlled, at least up to the 3 kilometer level, 

 by horizontal air currents in the strata near the earth's surface. A. J. H. 



BOTANY. — Agricultural varieties of the coivpea and immediately related 

 species. C. V. Pifer. Bulletin, 229. Bureau Plant Industry. 

 1912. 



This bulletin presents the results of an extended study of the varieties 

 of Vigna sinensis, Vigna catjang and Vigna sesquipedalis, which are 

 treated for convenience, as three separate species, but which integrade 

 fully and all hybridize. 



In the course of the study of these varieties, extending over eight 

 years, about one thousand lots of seed have been grown; 370 from 

 foreign sources and the remainder form the United States. As a result 

 of these studies, 35 varieties of Asparagus bean, 50 of Catjang and 220 

 of Cowpeas were found to be distinct varieties in an agronomic sense, 

 and descriptive notes concerning them are given. As all of these can 

 be hybridized, the number of varieties obtainable is practically limit- 

 less, or in other words, "Practically every combination of seed, color 

 and shape, with habit and life period can be obtained." 



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