AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 531 



Soc. [London], Ser. B, 82 (WOO), No. B 552, pp. 1-55, figs. 8).— This is a de- 

 tailed accouut of studies which have beeu previously noted from another source 

 (E. 8. K., 21. p. 318). 



The phosphorus metabolism in plants, W. Staniszkis iBuI. Intvnuit. Acad. 

 Sci. Cracovie, CI. 8ci. Math, et Nat., 1909, No. 6, pp. 95-123, pi. 1; abs. in Jour. 

 Vhem. Soc. [London]. 93 {1909), No. 565, II, pp. 923, 92.y).—A study was made 

 of millet throughout its entire growing period to determine its phosphorus 

 metabolism. 



The seeds were found to contain but little inorganic phosphorus and during 

 their development the phosphorus content increased with the increase in dry 

 weight. Up to the time of the formation of the panicles only small quantities 

 of organic phosphorus were formed, but afterwards up to the time of the ripen- 

 ing the amount of phosphoproteins, and especially phytin, increased consider- 

 ably. At the same time phosphorus was found to pass from the stem to the 

 leaves. The maximum lecithin content was found to occur in the early stages of 

 the formation of the panicles. While these were being formed protein nitrogen 

 decreased, although the total nitrogen increased. In the ripe millet seeds 97 

 per cent of the nitrogen was found to occur as protein. During the ripening 

 of the seeds the ratio of the protein phosphorus to protein nitrogen was found 

 to increase, showing that phosphorus-free proteins were being converted into 

 jthosphoproteins. 



On the lack of antagonism between certain salts, C. B. Lipman {Bot. Gaz., 

 JfD (.1910), No. 1, pp. Jfl-50, figs. 2).— In continuation of earlier work (E. S. R., 

 21, p. 627) with respect to ammonification by Bacillus siihtilis, an account is 

 given of further experiments as to the effect of calciinn, magnesium, and sodium 

 salts on this organism. 



The results of these experiments are in marked contrast to those generally 

 obtained with green plants. The author found that for B. .siihtilis there was no 

 antagonism between magnesium and calcium or between sodium and calcium. 

 Any combination of magnesium and calcium proved more toxic than magnesium 

 chlorid, and any combination of sodium and calcium salts was more poisonous 

 than sodium chlorid alone. In these respects the behavior of B. suhtilis is said 

 to have no parallel among plants so far as studied, and scarcely any among 

 animals. 



Cultural studies of species of Penicillium, C. Thom (U. S. Dcpt. Agr.. Bur. 

 Anim. Indus. Bui. 118, pp. 109. figs. 3(i). — The author in previous work on 

 fungi in cheese ripening (E. S. R., 17. p. 1186) encomitered certain difficulties 

 in identifying the Penicillium molds, which necessitated further culture and 

 comparison of many other species and an examination of the nomenclature of 

 the whole genus Penicillium. 



It was foinul that the cultural description of species of molds demanded the 

 recognition of the following points: (1) The culture media and conditions 

 must be described so fully as to make the rei)etitlon of tlie culture upon the 

 same medium and under approximately the same conditions easily possible 

 anywhere; (2) the liabit, structure, and appearance of the colony must be 

 given as it develops on at least two standard media of decidedly different com- 

 position ; (3) the physiological effects of the colony upon these media should 

 be noted; (4) full drawings or photographs should show habit as well as 

 microscopic details of cells and cell I'elations; and (5) other morphological or 

 physiological data obtainable should be given as accessory information. 



The author has followed this plan throughout the entire study of the 41 

 species of Penicillium noted, several of which are described as new. The paper 

 closes with keys to the cultural identification of species and with tabular state- 



