June, 1020] GENETICS 331 



2106. Seiler, J. [Rev. of: llAimisoN, J. \V. II., and L. DoNCASTBB. On hybrids be- 

 tween moths of the geometrld sub-family Bistoninae, with an account of the behaviour of the 

 chromosomes in gametogenesis in Lycia (Biston) hirtaria, Ithysia (Nyssiaj zonaria and in their 

 hybrids. Jour. Genetics 3 : 229-248. 1914.] Arch. Zellf orach. 15: 139-140. 1919. 



2107. Sheward, T. How varieties of fruit and flowers are originated. Card, rhron. 

 Amor. 23: 118. 1 fig. 1010. — -Brief directions for amateur plant breeders accompanied by a 

 popular presentation of the theories involved. — John Btishnell. 



2108. Slocum, Rob. R. Standard varieties of chickens. III. The Asiatic, English, and 

 French classes. U. S. Dept. Agric, Farmers' Bull. 1052. 32 p., 31 fig. 1010. — Brief, popular, 

 illustrated descriptions of Asiatic, English and French fowl as they are bred in America. — 

 H. D. Goodah. 



2100. S.vyder, N. Wheat breeding ideals. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. 10: 113-110. 1018. 

 — A discussion of the great value of wheat as a food is given and it is pointed out that for 

 generations man must have so considered it and thus propagated wheat as his chief bread- 

 making cereal. It is held that in wheat improvement bread-making quality should always 

 be considered and no new wheat be recommended on account of its high yield or other char- 

 acters unless it possesses high bread-making qualities. The quantity and quality of gluten 

 should be considered. — H. H. Love. 



2200. Stakmax, E. C, H. K. Hayes, Olaf S. Aamodt, and J. G. Leach. Controlling 

 flax wilt by seed se'ection. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. 2:201-208. PI. 9. 1010. — See Bot. 

 Absts. 3, Entry 2766. 



2201. Stark, P. Die Bliitenvariationen der Einbeere. [Floral variations of Paris quad- 

 rifolia.l Zeitschr. indukt. Abstamm. Vererb. 19:241-303. 35 fig. Aug., 1018.— Variations 

 in floral structure are described. The whorls of leaves, sepals, petals, anthers and carpels, 

 normally in groups of 4, may undergo local changes of metamorphosis, splitting, increase or 

 decrease of members, or the arrangement of whorls may be changed. There is a high degree 

 of positive correlation between the number of members in various whorls. Increase of mem- 

 bers of each whorl begins with the leaf whorl and progresses towards the carpels, while the re- 

 verse is true of decrease of members. These flower variations are due to nutrition, space rela- 

 tions of the growing point, and anatomy of fibrovascular bundles. Author concludes that 

 above phenomena are of phylogenetic significance and believes that the floral diagram of 

 Paris is a development from the Trillium type. — Karl Sax. 



2202. Sumner, Francis B. Adaptation and the problem of "organic purposefulness. - ' 

 II. Amer. Nat. 53 : 338-360. July-Aug., 1010. — A continuation of a paper of a somewhat philo- 

 sophical nature, considering first, trial and error in regulation, and second, evolution and con- 

 tingency. Author asserts trial and error principle is the only explanation of adaptive re- 

 sponses where racial or individual experiences are lacking. Cites arguments from Jkxxix<tS, 

 Holmes, and Roux, indicating trial and error applicable to physiological processes. Prefers 

 to believe invisible trial and error processes involved in morphogenesis, rather than abandon 

 to a vitalistic interpretation. Gene-character relationship is not indicative that entire organ- 

 ism is developed by such "particle"' combination. Sequence-space relationship is still to be 

 explained. Bodies both inorganic and organic tend to maintain functional equilibrium, the 

 intervening "fortuitous" steps being proportionate to specific complexity — e.g., regeneration 

 of a crystal; regeneration of a mutilated organism; solution of a problem by the mathema- 

 tician. Random responses of organism in new situation is inversely proportional to com- 

 plexity of problem since the greater the complexity, the greater the number of racial exper- 

 iences entering into the situation, and the greater the number of reactions that may have been 

 selected. Author suggests that in evolution, inheritance of environmental modifications and 

 selection of variations have both occupied a place. Unfavorable environment may disturb 



