THYSICS — PHYSIOLOGY. 277 



Review, xxxiv, p. 232). It is proposed to extend this work to other glasses 

 and through a. greater range of temperature, for which purpose we have 

 secured test pieces made of numerous Jena optical glasses of known compo- 

 sition, and by a variation of the method to determine the indices of liquids. 

 Dr. Molby has likewise applied his method to the measurement of the coeffi- 

 cient of expansion of invar steel between ioo° C. and — 190 C. (Physical 

 Review, xxxiv, p. 79). 



In the somewhat similar problem of the effect of temperature on the 

 transmission of light by colored glasses, Prof. R. C. Gibbs, with the assist- 

 ance of Mr. K. S. Gibson, has continued his investigations by the means of 

 the spectrophotometer between — 190 C. and 400 C. It is proposed to ex- 

 tend these measurements upon the same samples to the infra-red spectrum. 



Progress has been made by Prof. J. S. Shearer and Mr. C. C. Murdock in 

 their study of the specific heat of gases at various temperatures; by Mr. 

 C. C. Bidwell in the comparison of optically measured temperatures of glow- 

 ing bodies with the corresponding "black-body" temperature; and by Mr. 

 A. R. Nottingham in the study of the specific heat of steam. 



PHYSIOLOGY. 



Loeb, Leo, St. Louis, Missouri. Grant No. 582, allotted January 12, 1909. 

 Study of the toxic action of the venom of Heloderma suspectum. (For 

 previous reports see Year Books Nos. 6, 7, 8, and 9.) $500 



During the years 191 1 and 1912 the studies on the biochemical character 

 of the venom and on the absorption of the venom by various substances 

 were concluded. We also undertook a study of the action of Calmette's 

 cobra-antivenin on the venom of Heloderma. 



Our work is now completed and ready for publication. It considers 

 various aspects — morphological, physiological, and biochemical — of the prob- 

 lem, and we hope that it may serve as the basis for a still more thorough- 

 going analysis of the effects of venom on the animal organism. 



Reichert, E. T., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

 Grant No. 778, allotted December 15, 191 1. Study of differentiation 

 and specificity of homologous vital substances. (For previous reports 

 see Year Books Nos. 9 and 10.) $i>5°° 



The research on starches in relation to genera and species has been com- 

 pleted and is now in the hands of the printer. It will appear in two volumes 

 as publication 173 of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. This investi- 

 gation is being followed by studies along related lines of inquiry. 



