THE AMKRICAX BOTANIST 29 



fly from 130 id 1()0 feet a second. Iml ils uMial rale of ()() to 

 70 miles an JKnir would he prett}- fa>l U< he enjovahle in u 

 plane making a pleasure tri[). The crow is the least rapid of 

 a list of 22 migratory hirds, flying an insignihcant average of 

 45 feet a second, or 3(^ miles and iiour. Of course this speed 

 maintained steadil}' in an automohile would mean a very fair 

 rate of progress, defying the speed laws in many communities. 

 Most of the hirds listed, however, do hetter than llie crow. 

 Curlews and jacksnipes can fly 55 and 65 feet a second, while 

 (|uail, i)rairie chickens, and ruffed grouse can make 75 feet. 

 The dove can reach a speed of 100 feet a second, or 68 miles 

 an hour, although its usual rate is less. Redheads, blue- 

 winged teals, green- winged teals, Canada geese, and different 

 varieties of brant can fly over 100 feet per second, ranging in 

 speed from 68 to 98 miles an hour, hut usually fly at a much 

 slower rate. 



Plants and Ultra-vioukt Licht. — An interesting series 

 of experiments on the effect of ultra-violet light on plant life 

 is being conducted at tiie Pennsylvania St^'ite College. It is 

 reported that 11. \\ . I'opp, an instructor, has found, in pre- 

 liminary tests, indications that the invisible rays in sunlight 

 decrease the rate and amount of germination in soaked seeds, 

 inhibit growth and development, and finally cause tlie death 

 of the plants. In some varieties of plants, it was found that 

 new leaves would not form under ultra-violet light, and in 

 other cases it was found that, though the leaves formed, they 

 were killed a day or two later. The ultra-violet light was 

 produced by means of a mercury vapor .arc. X'arious types 

 of screens were used to eliminate the ultra-violet light from 

 sunlight. 



Mahoni.\ Rf.pens not Guilty. — Another proof of Josh 

 r)ining's famous aphorism that "It is better to know less than 



