AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 229 



The paths of translocation of sugars from g'reen leaves, S. Mangham (Ri)t. 

 Brit. Assoc. Adv. <&'«., 1910, p. 7S5). — This is an abstract of a report on in- 

 vestigations carried on to determine the path tali en by sugars during transloca- 

 tion from the leaves, an account of which has been previously noted (E. S. R., 

 24, p. 718). 



The author finds that the sugars move principally through the sieve tubes, 

 and the results obtained indicate that there is a periodicity in the transloca- 

 tion of sugars. This point is undergoing further observation. 



Concerning phyllohamin, II, L. Marchlewski and J. Robel {Biochem. 

 Ztschr., 34 (1911), No. 3-4, i>i). 275-279, pi. 1, fig. i).— In continuation of work 

 begun by the senior author on the constitution of chlorophyll (E. S. R., 20, p. 

 1026) a description is given of the physical and optical characters of 

 phyllohamin. 



A research into the amyloclastic secretory capacities of the embryo and 

 aleurone layer of Hordeum with special reference to the question of the 

 vitality and auto-depletion of the endosperm, II, F. Stoward (Ann. Bot. 

 [LondoM, 25(1911), No. 100, pp. 1U7-1204).— In a previous publication 

 (E. S. R., 25, p. 730) an account is given of methods for eliminating the influ- 

 ence of the aleurone layer, and in the present paper an account is given of 

 experiments in which it is completely suppressed. 



An attempt has been made to measure the amyloclastic capacities of the 

 embryo, aleurone layer, and inner endosperm, and among the results obtained 

 the author found that endospermic depletion as it occurs in the intact seed is 

 principally due to the action of enzyms secreted by the aleurone layer and 

 embryo; in the isolated endosperm, by the aleurone layer secretions; and in 

 both cases, the principal role is due to the aleurone layer. The amyloclastic 

 enzyms secreted by the embryo and aleurone layers are identical and are 

 distinct from those present or generated by the inner endosperm. 



Note on the action of strychnin upon some somatic cells, Helen P. Kemp 

 (Ami. Bot. [London], 25 (1911), No. 100, pp. 1069-1076).— Some experiments 

 with strychnin are described in which the author undertook to examine the 

 mitoses described by Hertwig. 



She found that the somatic tissues of the pea and bean when treated with 

 sulphate and hydrochlorid of strychnin showed no evidence of the figures 

 described. In a series of experiments in water culture, peas were grown to 

 determine the absorption of strychnin and the entry of the poison into the 

 root cells. The presence of strychnin in the cells was demonstrated, and 

 corelatively its absorption by the roots. 



The results indicate that strychnin exercises no specific effect upon the tis- 

 sues used in the experiments. There was no definite physiological response 

 attributed to the presence of strychnin, except when used in sufficient strength 

 to produce a general disturbance of metabolism. 



The effect of polyurates and hippuric acid on the development of the radish, 

 M. MoLLiARD (Com-pt. Rend'. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 153 (1911), No. 20, pp. 958- 

 060). — Experiments are reported in which radishes were grown in nutrient solu- 

 tions to which various compounds were added, and comparisons were made with 

 those grown in solutions to which were added nitrate of soda, ammonium 

 chlorid, glycocoll, urea, sodium urate, allantoin, etc. Of the urea products, 

 sodium urate and allantoin gave the greatest growth, and sodium urate In- 

 creased the development of the fleshy roots and at the same time the total ash. 



Impurities in the atmosphere of towns and their effects upon vegetation, 

 A. G. RusTON and C. Crowther (Rpt. Brit. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1910, pp. 577, 

 578). — A summary is given of investigations on atmospheric impurities in dif- 



