552 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



this is not possible, it is thouglit that the use of coal ashes, volcanic scoria, or 

 other similar material for the formation of seed beds would probably prove 

 advantageous. 



On the biolog'y of the anther smut of Melandrium album, E. Werth {Arb, 

 K. Biol. Anst. Land n. Forstw., 8 (1911), No. 3, pp. .'i21--'i')0, figs. //). — A report 

 in continuation of those previously made is here given on the author's investi- 

 gations with TJstUngo antlierarum, in which the conclusions, mainly confirm- 

 atory of those previously announced (E. S. R., 23, p. 654), are in brief as 

 follows : 



This smut may infect flowers of either sex, causing more or less change of 

 form, and in some cases producing a resemblance to hermaphroditism with loss 

 of function. Seed from an infected plant produce healthy flowers, due prob- 

 ably to the fact observed that the infection does not make its way directly 

 into the cells of the host so long as these are fresh and plump, but only after 

 death and decay of some of the cells have given the fungus a foothold sapro- 

 phytically. Infection advances apparently by repeated production of conidia. 

 lu a few eases young leaf shoots were infected with spores directly, and in 

 one case this infection spread gradually to neighboring parts. Infection of 

 young plants occurred but very sparingly, possibly from spores in the soil. It 

 appears that visits of insects play an important role in the spread of infection 

 in wild plants which, so far as examined, confirm these conclusions. 



Parasitic bacteria on leaves of Elodea, E. Merker (Ccntbl. Bakt. [etc.], 

 2. AM., 31 {1911), No. 23-25, pp. 578-590, pi. 1, figs. 11). —The author investi- 

 gated certain injuries found on leaf edges of E. canadensis, E. crispa, and E. 

 densa, most noticeable in autumn, which appeared to be the work of micro- 

 organisms. 



Two bacteria were isolated which were thought to cause the injuiy. These 

 appeared to be new si^ecies, and to them the names Micrococcus cytophagus and 

 M. melanocyclus were given. Technical descriptions of both are submitted in 

 the article. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



Economics of ornithology in South Africa, A. Roberts {Agr. Jour. Union 

 So. Africa, 1 {1911), No. 3, pp. 352-369; ahs. in Aulc, 29 {1912), No. 1, pp. 121- 

 123). — The species of economic importance are briefly considered in their rela- 

 tions to the grain, fruit, poultry, and stock-raising industries, and as scavengers. 

 In view of the backward state of the knowledge of the real economic value of 

 the birds of South Africa, the South Afi'ican Ornithologists' Union advises the 

 establishment of a government department to deal solely with this subject. 



Conifers damaged by squirrels, A. W. Hill (New Phytol., 10 (1911), No. 

 9-10, pp. 3.'iO-3'i2, pi. 1). — The nature of the injury caused by squirrels to 

 Thuya plicata and Cupressus lawsoniana in Cornwall, England, is discussed. 



Nomenclature of economic insects, H. M. Lefroy (Jour. Econ. Biol., G 

 (1911), No. 3, pp. 91-102). — A paper read before the Association of Economic 

 Biologists, at Birmingham, in July, 1911. 



Our insect friends and foes, F. M. Duncan (London, 1911, pp. XI +296, pis. 

 16). — A popular work in which are taken up the study of insect life, insect 

 communities, aquatic insects, insects in commerce, insects and flowers, beneficial 

 beetles, and insect pests of various sorts. 



The principal insects injurious to agriculture durin'g 1908—9, M. H. 

 SwENK (Ann. Rpt. Nehr. Bd. Agr. 1910, pp. 362-369). — Brief accounts are given 

 of the occurrence of the more important insect pests of the year under report. 



Insect pests (Rpt. Local Dept. Agr. Barbados, 1910-11, pp. ^2-Jf5). — In ex- 

 periments with remedial measures for the root borer Daiprepes abbrcviatus 



