No. 2, Sbp-TBMBEB, 1920] PHYSIOLOGY 279 



2132. Moffat, C. B. Some notes on Oenanthe crocata: its character as a poisonous plant. 

 Irish Nat. 29: 13-18. Feb., 1920.— The "Water hemlock-Dropwort" is notoriously deadly. 

 Many fatal cases are known from eating the plant. Db. Chbistison, lm\\ ever, made the dis- 

 covery that in the vicinity of Edinburgh this species is, for some unknown reason, devoid of 

 toxic properties. In County Wexford the author observed three herds of cows feeding on the 

 plant by preference with no injurious effects. Cases are on record of cattle in other parts 

 of Ireland killed by this poison. Some suggestions are made but no explanation offered. — 

 W. E. Praeger. 



2133. Saleeby, N. M. The treatment of human beriberi with autolyzed yeast extract. 

 Philippine Jour. Sci. 14: 11-14. 1919. — The extract was prepared by the Bureau of Science, 

 from brewers yeast obtained in Manila, by incubating at 35°C. for 48 hours, then filtering and 

 concentrating to one third the volume in partial vacuum below 60°C. About forty acute cases 

 were treated. The dose for adults was 15-40 cc. and children 2-4 cc. Marked results were 

 noted in less than three days and full relief in a week. This extract seemed to behave much 

 the same as hydrolyzed extract of rice polishings, only w-eaker. — -Albert R. Sweetser. 



2134. Schuler, D. B. Vergiftungen durch Herbstzeitlose und deren Bekampfung. [Poi- 

 soning by meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale) and its control.] Illustrierte Landw. Zeitg. 

 39:457. Fig. 361-86S. 1919. 



2135. Wells, A. H. The physiological active constituents of certain Philippine medicinal 

 plants. III. Philippine Jour. Sci. 14: 1-7. I pi. 1919. — As a result of chemical analyses, made 

 in the chemical laboratory of the Bureau of Science, Manila, Arcangelica flava (Linn.) Merr. 

 gave 4.8 per cent berberine; Cassia siarnca Lam., an undetermined alkaloid; and the rhizome 

 of Geodorum nutans Ames., 14 per cent of a water soluble adhesive; and Coriaria intermedia 

 Mats., a poisonous glucoside, in its leaves and fruit. A bibliography is appended. — Albert 

 R. Sweetser. 



PHYSIOLOGY 



B. M. Dtjggar, Editor 

 Carroll W. Dodge, Assistant Editor 



GENERAL 



2136. Bancroft, Wilder D. [Rev. of: Haldane, J. S. The new physiology. 22x14 

 cm., viii+156 p. J. B. Lippincott Company: Philadelphia, 1919.] Jour. Phys. Chem. 23: 

 586-587. 1919. 



DIFFUSION, PERMEABILITY 



2137. Buscalioni, L. Nuove osservazione sulle cellule artificiali. [Further observations 

 on artificial cells.] Malpighia 28: 403-434. PI. 11-12. 1919.— See Bot, Absts. 5, Entry 1267. 



2138. Coupin, H. Sur le lieu d'absorption de 1'eau par la racine. [Absorption of water 

 by roots.] Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 168: 1005-100S. 1919. — The roots of pea, bean, sun- 

 flower, pumpkin, pine, corn, and rice grew more rapidly and produced more laterals when 

 merely the tip was suspended in water than when the whole root was immersed. Growth was 

 extremely slow when corn roots were moistened in the region of the root hairs only. The 

 author concludes that roots absorb water exclusively by the tip and not by the root hairs; 

 the latter protect the root against too rapid drying out and attach the root firmly to soil 

 particles. — F. B. Wann. 



2139. Curtis, Otis F. The upward translocation of foods in woody plants. I. Tissues 

 concerned in translocation. Amer. Jour. Bot. 7: 101-124. 4 fig. 1920. — Attention is called by 

 the author to the general belief that in woody plants food stored in the lower part of the trunk 



BOTANICAL ABSTRACTS, VOL. V, NO. 2 



