No. 1, May, 1921] PHYSIOLOGY 95 



654. Herzfeld, E., und R. Klinger. Chemische Studien zur Physiologie und Pathologie 

 VI. Zur Biochemie der Oxydationen. (Zellatmung; Oxydations-f ermente ; zur Theorie der 

 Narkose.) [Chemical studies in physiology and pathology VI. The biochemistry of oxidation. 

 (Respiration; oxidases; narcosis).] Biochem. Zeitschr. 93: 32'4-352. 1919. — This is a critical 

 discussion based upon the work of others. The author stresses the possibility that certain 

 molecular structures may weaken the union of the O atoms in the o.xygen molecule so that 

 "activation" (increased oxidizing power) results, wherebj^ loose chemical combinations are 

 made with H2O or with metals with peroxide-like structure, with OH ions, and with 02-adsorb- 

 ing surfaces. Such organic compounds as the lower fatty acids or their salts might be oxi- 

 dized to CO2 and H2O, fulfilling the conditions for oxidation processes in the living organism, 

 namely, active O2 and easily oxidizable simpler metabolic products, rendering the assumption 

 of certain oxidases unnecessary. — It is stated that 'Narcosis depends upon the disturbance of 

 the formation or the adjustment of differences in physiological potential upon which the 

 activity of the nervous system rests. Widely different compounds can effect this, depending 

 upon a loose combination (adsorption) with the nerve substance. Certain narcotics (CO2, 

 N2O) act by means of acid accumulation in the tissues. This may be the mode of action of 

 the lipoid-soluble narcotics, correlated with an inhibition of oxidative processes. Neither 

 for the latter group nor for narcotics in general is the inhibition of oxidation the sole or the 

 most probable controlling factor of action.' — W. W. Bonns. 



ORGANISM AS A WHOLE 



655. Reed, H. S. Conditions affecting the potentiality of the seed. [Rev. of: Kidd, F., 

 and C. West. Physiological predetermination: the influence of the physiological condition 

 of the seed upon the course of subsequent growth and upon the yield. Ann. Appl. Biol. 5: 1-10, 

 112-142, 157-170, 220-251. 1918-1919; 6:1-26. 1919.] Plant World 22:363-364. 1919.— 

 Various questions indicated by the title are "discussed in a spirit which cannot fail to be stim- 

 ulating to all further work in this important field." — C H. Shull. 



656. Stiles, W. Plant physiology. Sci. Prog. [London] 14: 392-396. 1920.— A brief 

 review of some of the more recent papers dealing with the effect of light, temperature, and 

 humidity on the development of plants. — /. L. Weimer. 



GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, REPRODUCTION 



657. Church, Margaret B. Root contraction. Plant World 22 : 3.37-340. 1 fig. 1919. 

 — A general review of literature on root contraction is given, and the facts summarized as 

 follows: Roots do shorten; the parenchyma tissue of the root is the active tissue; cork and 

 vascular traces are passive; the cork is crushed by contraction ultimately; there is a region 

 where wrinkling and shortening both occur, another where shortening but no wrinkling is 

 visible, and an unchanged region; dicotyledons show distorted bundle traces, while monocoty- 

 ledons have bundles that remain straight during contraction. The author suggests the desira- 

 bility of study of serial sections coupled with consideration of turgor changes and bio- 

 chemical alteration of the protoplast and cell walls. — Charles A. Shull. 



658. Jones, W. Neilson. A simple root auxanometer. Ann. Bot. 34:555-557. 1 fig. 

 1920. — The apparatus consists of a cylindrical glass jar provided with a stopper in which 

 slides a glass rod. The root of a seedling impaled on a pin also sliding through the stopper, 

 is adjusted to touch exactly the surface of water partly filling the jar, and the height of the rod, 

 which dips into the water, is noted. After an interval the water is lowered and the tip read- 

 justed by withdrawal of the rod, the amount of which withdrawal divided by the ratio of the 

 cross section of jar to rod gives the growth in that interval. The exactness with which the 

 contact of a tip with a water surface can be seen, and the great difference possible in the 

 cross sections of rod and jar, render the apparatus very sensitive in principle. Suggestions 

 are added for more exact calibration and compensation of evaporation. — W. F. Ganong. 



