274 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



least of cattle of similar character are to be found in Scandinavia. The author 

 admits, however, that this theory does not account for the hornless wild white 

 herds, nor the hornless cattle skulls found in the Roman fort at Newstead. 



Cattle breeding in Holland, Zwaknepoix and Coppens {Ann. Med. V6t., 58 

 (l!>Oi>). Ao.s. 2. PI). SD-SS. fig. 1; 3, pp. 1.') 1-156, pis. 2; Jf, pp. 196-212; 5, pp. 

 253-262). — This series of articles contains data on cattle, dairy products, de- 

 scriptions and measurements of the breed, and methods of registerins cattle, in 

 the Holland herd book. 



Export of Malagasy cattle to France {liul. Off. Colon. [France], 2 {HJOV), 

 No. 22, pp. 101-103). — An account of the possibilities which the Island of Mada- 

 gascar offers as a source of meat supply for France. The colony contains 

 nearly 4.()00.(»()() head of zebus, which is more than enough for home consump- 

 tion. A small shipment has recently been made to Marseille, and if successful a 

 company will be organized to export cattle on a large scale. 



Breeding Merino sheep in France, A. H. Thomson {Breeder's Gaz., 56 

 {1909), No. 18, pp. 881, 888). — This is a brief account of the modifications of the 

 Merino breed, chiefly in the Toissonnaise and Chatillonais districts where a type 

 of Merino has been evolved which is distinguished from the others by its larger 

 size, more regular conformation, and greater precocity. The wool of the Tois- 

 sonnaise Merino is of superior quality and the food value of the carcass has 

 been increased over that of the primitive type. 



The Friesian breed of sheep, E. Marre {Bill. Mens. Off. Renseig. Apr. 

 [Paris], 8 {1909), No. 9, pp. 12-'i0-125.',, pi. 1; Prog. Agr. et Vit. {Ed. VEst- 

 Centre), 30 {1909), No. 42, pp. 411-^86, fig. 1). — An account of the dairy sheep 

 of East Friesland, which the author thinks should be imported to the Roque- 

 fort and other daii-y districts of France. 



Measurements and weights of goats at the live stock show in Leipsic, 1909, 

 AtJGST {Jahrh. Dent. Landw. Gesell., 24 {1909), No. 3, pp. SJy/-S57 ) .—Weights, 

 body measurements, and other data of 19 white hornless goats are given. 



Goats' hair and mohair from Uganda {Bui. Imp. Inst., 1 {1909), No. 3, pp. 

 263-266). — Several samples of goat hair received from Uganda showed it to be 

 a much better type than Afghan and others which are exported to England ; It 

 resembles somewhat an inferior kind of mohair and will probably be salable in 

 England. From the same country there were also received 2 fleeces of pure- 

 bred Angora goats, imported to that country from America, and 1 fleece from a 

 second-cross Angora male. From an examination of these samples it was evi- 

 dent that mohair of a very promising quality can be produced in Uganda, but 

 it is certain that unusual care will have to be taken in breeding the Angora 

 goats in order to maintain a satisfactory flock. 



The absorption of moisture from the atmosphere by wools, A. M. Wright 

 {Jour. 8oe. Vhem. Indus., 28 {1909), No. 19. pp. 1020-1 022). ^The purpose of 

 this investigation was to determine under what conditions wool absorbs mois- 

 ture from the atmosphere, and what constituents cause it to absorb relatively 

 large amounts. 



The results are summarized as follows: "The relative humidity of the atmos- 

 phere [influences the absorption of moisture], more moistui-e being absorbed 

 during a period of high relative humidity than when the humidity is low. 

 Pure wool fiber, of which greasy wool contains from 50 to 70 per cent and slipe 

 wool about 75 per cent, can absorb from IS to 20 per cent of its weight of mois- 

 ture from the atmosphere, but this amount is not sutticient to account for all the 

 moisture absorbed by the dry normal wool fiber. Natural wool fat, present in 

 greasy wool to the extent of nearly 17 per cent and in slipe wool to 6i per cent, 

 is capable of absorbing about 17 per cent of its weight of atmospheric moisture. 

 Suint, or wool perspii-ation present in greasy wools to the extent of nearly 13 



