No. 3, January, 1922] SOIL SCIENCE 207 



modified in such a way as to have 3 distinctly different Ph values, without materially altering 

 the concentration of the essential ions. The hydrogen-ion concentration appreciably in- 

 fluenced the growth rate. The plants grown in solutions with a Ph of 4.2-7.0 suffered from 

 chlorosis. — \V. J. Robbins. 



1363. MuTTKOwsKi, Richard A. Copper in animals and plants. Science 53: 45:j-454. 

 1921. — From incineration experiments the author reports that copper is found in traces in 

 plants, and is "probably inactive." — C. J. Lyon. 



1364. OsTERHOUT, W. J. V. The mechanism of injury and recovery of the cell. Science 

 53: 352-356. 1921. — By means of his electrical resistance method, the writer has developed a 

 criterion for judging life and death in cells. From experiments with Laminaria, the facts 

 "lead to the assumption that the resistance of the cells is proportional to a substance, M, 

 formed and decomposed by a series of consecutive reactions." The series O — >S — ^A — >M — >B 

 is considered as representing a series of reactions upon which life depends. The mathematical 

 analysis of experimental curves leads to the conclusion that temporary injury is due to the 

 loss of a substance, M. Permanent injury is due to the loss of a substance, O. Recovery 

 may be complete or partial. Equations have been found that make it possible to predict 

 true curves of injuries in both pure salt solutions and mixtures and recovery curves in sea 

 water. Thus the theory is supported by quantitative proofs. — C. J . Lyon. 



1365. ScHWEizER, Karl. L'action du cuivre sur la fermentation alcoolique. [The effect 

 of copper upon alcoholic fermentation.] Bull. Assoc. Chimistes Sucrerie et Distillerie France 

 et Colonies 37: 160-173. 3 fig. 1919. 



MISCELLANEOUS 



1366. Jacobsen, J. P., et M. Knudsen. Manuel pratique de I'analyse de I'eau de mer. 

 II. Dosage de I'oxygene dans I'eau de mer par la methode de Winkler. [Practical manual for 

 the analysis of sea water. II. The amount of oxygen in sea water by the Winkler method.) 

 Bull. Inst. Oceanograph. Monaco 390. 15 p. 1921. 



SOIL SCIENCE 



J. J. Skinner, Editor 

 F. M. Schertz, Assistant Editor 



(See also in this issue Entries 898, 914, 916, 953, 963, 964, 1251, 1260, 1354) 



1367. Bauer, F. C. The relation of organic matter and the feeding power of plants to the 

 utilization of rock phosphate. Soil Sci. 12: 21-41. 1921. — Experiments with mixtures of rock 

 phosphate and organic matter, with provision for removal of soluble phosphate as formed, 

 failed to show a solvent effect of the decaying organic matter on rock phosphate. In some 

 cases mixtures of rock phosphate and decaying organic matter applied to pot cultures in- 

 creased the growth of corn more than either alone. The growth of 15 kinds of plants on rock 

 phosphate in sand cultures showed a wide variation in dry matter produced. There was no 

 definite relation between amount of plant growth and extent of root system, phosphorous 

 content or acidity of the plant juices. Sweet clover possesses remarkable feeding power to- 

 ward rock phosphate and feldspar and for this reason is well suited to rotation. — W. J. Robbins. 



1368. BuRKiLL, I. H. Forests and their retention of rain water. Gardens' Bull. Straits 

 Settlements 2: 419-421. 1921. — A forest soil is porous. \ Peat soils in the Malay Peninsula 

 shrink; soils from hill-forests may be washed away on exposure. The greater part of the article 

 is a r^sum^ of Arnold Engler's work on the subject in Switzerland (see Bot. Absts. 9, Entry 710). 

 [See also Bot. Absts. 9, Entry 1232.]— 7. H. Burkill. 



