212 . GENETICS [BoT. Absts., Vol. IX, 



forms of plantain are concerned: (1) The normal form with long simple spikes and small bracts; 

 (2) a form with branched spikes; (3) a form with bracts replaced by leaves, the spike being 

 thus pyramidal ; and (4) a form with bracts replaced by leaves and spike shortened to a rosette. 

 All these were self-fertile. — Branched by normal gave normals in Fi. In Fj the ratios varied 

 in different families, but selfed branched plants gave progenies with varying percentages of 

 apparent normals. In the 2nd year, however, these same F2 plants showed approximately 

 3 normals to 1 branched. This ratio was confirmed by a full F3. — Pyramidal by normal gave 

 normals in Fi. In F2 the proportion was 12 normals to 3 resetted to 1 pyramidal. Many 

 seedling rosette plants perish prematurely unless special precautions are taken; and pyramidals 

 are slightly less viable than normals. This proportion was confirmed by a full Fj. — John 

 Belling. 



1336. Haxce, Robert T. [Rev. of: Kuwada, Y. Die Chromosomenzah' von Zea 

 Mays L. Ein Beitrag zur Hypothese der Individualitat der Chromosomen und zur Frage iiber 

 die Herkunft von Zea Mays L. (The chromosome number of Zea Mays L. A contribution to 

 the hypothesis of the Individuality of chromosomes and to the problem of the origin of Zea Mays 

 L.) Jour. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo 39 : 1-14S. 2 pi., 4 fig- 1919 (see Bot. Absts. 4, Entry 

 643).] Amer. Nat. 55:268-275. 1921. 



1337. Hansen, W. Die Ermittlung des Einzelkorngewichtes einer Pfianze. [Determina- 

 tion of the weight of individual grains of a plant.] Zeitschr. Pflanzenzticht. 7: 225-227. 

 1920. — Determinations of the average weight of wheat grains based upon 2 samples of 50 each 

 closely parallel the average weights of 1000 kernels and are considered a better measure for the 

 purpose of selection than the average weight based upon all the seeds which the plant produces. 

 Factors which increase the number of grains per plant tend to make the weights of individual 

 seeds less. The taking of sub-samples by selecting the larger kernels is considered to give 

 a truer indication of the size of seed. The same method applies with oats and only the upper 

 seed in each spikelet need be considered. — D. F. Jones. 



1338. Hansen, W. Die Mahndorfer Pfianzenziichtung bzw. das Mahndorfer Usancenbuch. 

 [The Mahndorf plant breeding or the book of Mahndorf methods.] Zeitschr. Pflanzenziicht. 

 7:283-318. 5 fig. 1920. — The author describes the development and application of the plant 

 breeding methods in use at Mahndorf, dedicated to Mr. Hacke at the celebration of his 25 

 years of service as administrator. Following the results of Beseler and Rimpatj in Germany 

 and the Svalof Station in Sweden, the individual-plant-selection method was started in 1902 

 with peas and wheat. Attention has been chiefly confined to single varieties of the principal 

 crops, — rye, winter wheat, summer wheat, barley, oats, and peas, — and in addition some work 

 has been done with alfalfa, turnips, maize, poppy, rape, carrots, and grass. The principal 

 qualities of the improved strains of these plants are stated, together with detailed descriptions 

 of the methods of planting, arranging the plants in the field, harvesting, and recording 

 results. — D. F. Jones. 



1339. Harris, J. Arthur, and F. G. Benedict. The variation and the statistical con- 

 stants of basal metabolism in men. Jour. Biol. Chem. 46: 2.57-279. 1 fig. 1921. — This 

 paper presents: (1) A measure of the variability of the basal metabolism of the normal indi- 

 vidual; (2) a consideration of the relation between the length of time over which the observa- 

 tions extend and the variation in the metabolism of the individual; and (3) a consideration of 

 the most suitable method for determining the population mean from measurements on a 

 series of individuals. The results show significant ranges and standard deviations of meta- 

 bolism (C. V. about 4 per cent) . The variability in metabolism of the individual is positively 

 correlated with duration of the period of time over which the observations have been distrib- 

 uted. The population constant derived from individual means is less modified by weighing 

 than that deduced from individual minima. Weighing by method of means and on the basis 

 of the square root of the number of days covered by observations is suggested. — John W . 

 Gowen. 



