470 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECOED. 



Whenever the stomach coutents were removed and fermented in vitro there 

 was 3 or 4 times as much carbonic acid as methan. This indicated that the 

 carbonic acid was absorbed in the stomach. The quantity of hydrogen was 

 much less than that of methan iu both stomach and colon. In fermentation 

 experiments the amounts of both hydrogen and carbonic acid were increased 

 when soluble carbohydrates were added to the fermenting contents of stomach 

 and colon. 



Annual review of investigations in general biology, edited by Y. Delage 

 (Ann. Biol. [Paris], J3 (1908), pp. XVII+5n).—A bibliography of literature 

 published in 1908 on the cell, reproduction, heredity, variation, the origin of 

 species, and related topics. Abstracts are given of the more important pub- 

 lications. 



Some neglected factors in evolution. — An essay in constructive biology, 

 H. M. Bernard (Netv York and London, 1911, pp. XXI+JtS9, figs. JP). — A study 

 of the finer structure of protoplasm, and in particular of those tissues which 

 can not be satisfactorily explained by the cell theory, which is accordingly 

 replaced by the protomitomic network theory in which the cell is conceived 

 primarily as a continuous linin chromatin network with a differentiated center, 

 which is a storehouse for chromatin, the whole being imbedded in an albuminous 

 semifluid matrix. According to this theory, the linin network within the nucleus 

 and the cytoplasmic meshwork outside are fundamental parts of one and the 

 same reticulum, though possibly coated over with different substances, and the 

 nuclear membrane is a felting of the threads of the protomitomic network. 

 The network of the nucleus as the organic center is continuous with the network 

 of the cell body. 



The common belief that chromatin is the hereditary substance is said to be 

 only consistent with total ignorance of the existence of the underlying reticulum 

 of linin threads, and scattered observations as to chromatin are difficult to 

 correlate into a coherent doctrine of its functions and importance. 



Part 1 closes with a chapter on growth in which a psychic force is invoked 

 to account for ordered growths. In part 2 evolution is explained by means 

 of 5 structural units. The factor commonly neglected which is here most 

 emphasized is cosmic rhythm. 



The development of the germ cells in the mammalian ovary, with special 

 reference to the early phases of maturation, A. Louise McIlroy (Proc. Roy. 

 Soc. Edinb., 31 (1910-11), No. 1, pp. 151-178, pis. 6).— A report of studies 

 of the ovary in embryo and newly bom young of the rabbit, cat, dog, pig, 

 and man. 



Among many conclusions are the following : The same general plan of devel- 

 opment is followed among the varied types of mammalian ovary, the variation 

 depending upon the rate of ante and post-natal development, the cells maturing 

 from the periphery inwards. Mitosis occurs among the oogonia, and also 

 among the primary oocytes of the reticular stage, but ceases at a given stage 

 in the development of the ovary. The follicle cells, which form the cells of the 

 stratum granulosum, are derived from the oogonia and not from the stroma 

 cells. The reserve cells (oogonia and regressive oocytes scattered throughout 

 the ovarian tissue) may function as follicle or as interstitial cells, and may 

 become absorbed as pabulum for the developing oocyte. The nucleolus persists 

 during all of the stages of transition of the nucleus, although its staining 

 capacity may vary. 



Experiments on the time required to fertilize the egg of the fowl, J. L. 

 Fratettb (Rev. G&n. Agron., n. ser., G (1911), No. 8, pp. 31.'i-317). — Eggs were 

 fertile on the second day after the cock was put Into the yard in the case of 2 

 groups of hens. In other cases it required from 3 to 4 days to fertilize eggs. 



