ANIMAL. PRODUCTION. 469 



they are highly digestible, it is pointed out that in the use of these meals there 

 is a possibility of transmitting infectious diseases. 



'*' Romauxankalk " in animal metabolism, O. Hagemann (Pfliiger's Arch. 

 Phi/sioL, IJfO {1911), No. 1-^, pp. 158-16^). — Metabolism experiments with 

 wethers showed that this proprietary compound of organic phosphorus is 

 easily assimilated. 



Karroo soil, lucern, and the ostrich feather, P. D. Hahn and D. S. Steven- 

 son {So. African Jour. ScL, 7 {1911), Wo. 3, pp. 122-128). — Analyses of lucern 

 and karroo soil are reported. It is stated that in South Africa lucern removes 

 more phosphorus, potash, and lime from the soil than in European countries. 

 Analyses of ostrich feathers showed that those from ostriches fed on lucern 

 contained less ash than feathers from the veld-fed and wild ostriches. 



On the movement of feeding stuffs through the alimentary tract, particu- 

 larly of swine, J. Schneideriieinze {Ucber die AufentJiaUs- unci Durchgangs- 

 seiten der Nahrung bez. Hirer Reste im Magendarmkanal, spezicll i/m Magen 

 des Schweincs. Inaug. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1910, pp. 89, tables 6, figs. 2)). — After 

 reviewing the literature on the subject, the author reports his own experiments 

 with swine, in which dissimilar rations were given at the last feeding period 

 before slaughtering. The exact location of the feed at successive intervals, 

 the action of the different parts of the alimentary tract, the length of time 

 required to reach the different portions, and other data are described in detail 

 and presented in tabular form. 



Investigations on the mechanism of rumination, C. FoA {Pfiilger^s Arch. 

 Physiol., 133 {1910), No. ^-6 pp. 111-200, figs. 16).— The author has studied 

 spontaneous rumination in sheep, the effect of cold water on the paunch of 

 sheep, and the mechanism of regurgitation by stimulation of the vagus nerve 

 in sheep and dogs. 



The results indicate that regurgitation is not induced because of intra- 

 thoracic suction, as it can take place with an open thorax. Furthermore, 

 neither intrathoracic nor Intratracheal pressure is altered. Regurgitation 

 takes place through a strong contraction of the diaphragm, which compresses 

 the paunch and reticulum and raises the intra-abdominal pressure. It is a series 

 of coordinated reflexes, which originate volunfcirily, but once started can not 

 be stopped by a slight narcosis or nervous stimulation. As in the case of vom- 

 iting, there was no antiperistaltic contraction of the esophagus. 



Contribution to the knowledge of rumination, A. Aggazzotti {Pfliiger's 

 Arch. Physiol., 133 {1910), No. ^-6, pp. 201-22-i, figs. S).— The author con- 

 tinued the studies along the same lines as in the article above. 



In sheep the cardia is normally open, but is closed when the main branch 

 of the peripheral vagus nerve is stimulated. This did not explain the failure 

 to regurgitate and ruminate, for this failure occurs on poisoning with curare. 

 Electrical and mechanical stimulation of the mucous membrane of the reticu- 

 lum and rumen caused the muscular walls to contract, but without regui'gita- 

 tion. Apomorphin and tartar emetic did not cause regurgitation or rumina- 

 tion. The esophageal furrow functions and assists in the act of regurgitation. 



The fermentation processes of digestion in ruminants, I. Markoff {Biochem. 

 Ztschr., 34 {1911), No. S-4, pp. 211-232, fig. i).— Gases were withdrawn by 

 means of tubes from the paunch and colon of oxen and goats. 



The amount of carbonic-acid gas from the stomach was sometimes less 

 and at other times exceeded that of methan, whereas in the colon it was 

 always less. In an animal on a diet composed wholly of hay, or when in 

 a condition of hunger, there was considerable less carbonic acid than methan. 

 On a diet of beets and hay the proportions were about equal, whereas 

 the addition of oats increased the proportion of carbonic acid and hydrogen. 



