570 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



acid decomposition begins in milli in si)ite of the presence of 1 per cent of 

 sodium benzoate, wlien the mixture tastes distinctly of benzoic acid." 



In experiments with men to compare pure and benzoated cider the author 

 states that a burning taste, headache, and other unfavorable syni])t()nis were 

 noted with cider containing the preservative. 



" Small doses of sodium benzoate given with acid substances to i)ati(>n(s with 

 albuminuria aggravated this condition and caused alarming symptoms, classical 

 of nephritis — for 6 days thereafter iu one subject." 



Some experiments with dogs ou the effects of benzoic acid are also brlelly 

 reported. 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



The problems of life, E. Giglio-Tos (/.r.s Prohlemes dc la Vie. — /, La »S'm&- 

 staiiee Vivantc ct la Ci/todierSse, Turin, 1900, pt). VlII+286, figs. 33; II, UOn- 

 togdndsG et ses Problemcs, Cagliari, 1903, pp. V+368, figs. 36; III, La F4co<nr 

 datioii' ct VHerediU, Cagliari, 1905, pp. VII -{-189, fig. 1; IV, La Variation et 

 rOrigine des Espeees, Cagliari, 1910, pp. VII-\-222). — This work on speculative 

 biology attempts to interpret vital phenomena in terms of physics and chemistry. 

 It is stated that the nature of living processes is more simple than is generally 

 sui)posed. and that there is no need of assuming a special vital force not known 

 to chemistry or physics. 



The theories advanced are illustrated by diagrams and mathematical formulas. 

 Part 1 treats of the properties of the living substance and the process of cell 

 division, which is summarized In the form of 28 " laws." The development of 

 the growing organism is discussed in part 2 as consisting merely of chemical 

 differentiation of tissues. The topics treated in part 3 are fertilization, matura- 

 tion, parthenogenesis, and heredity. The concluding part discusses variation, 

 the origin of species, adaptation, and the origin of life, and contains lu " ra- 

 tional laws of hybridization " and a general summary of the entire work. 



The importance of slaughterhouse studies and anatomical investigations 

 for animal breeding, H. Kraemee (Mitt. Deut. Landw. GeselL, 2Jf (1909), No. 

 /f-'i, pp. 662-665). — This is a summary of recent investigations such as those of 

 Seeberger (E. S. R., 21, p. 776) and others, on' the relation of form to physio- 

 logical function by studies of the anatomy of domesticated animals at slaughter- 

 houses and in the laboratory. It is pointed out that further studies along 

 these linos would be of great value to the practical breeder. 



The fitness of twins in cattle [and in sheep] for breeding, Strebel {Dcut. 

 Land/io. Presse, 36 (1909), No. 8.',, pp. 897, 898).— A discussion of data. 



A study of the Simmental herd book kept at Hoheuheim since 1885 showed 

 that during the period covered there were 2,521 births, of which 116 were twins. 

 In 28 cases both were heifers, iu 35 cases both bulls, and in 53 cases the sexes 

 were unlike. Twins were more common with old than with ^oung cows and 

 could be traced to 44 out of 55 bulls used during the 75 year,-. There were 9 

 pairs of twins in the progeny of i bull which wa~ .1 for 2 years. The 

 progeny of the heifer twins could be traced in only 1 ^ases, in half of which 

 l)oth twins were heifers. In three of these cases both heifers were fertile, while 

 in the other 5 only 1 twin was bred, the other being weak and sent to the 

 butcher. Of the 11 which were bred none gave birth to twins, nor did their 

 offspring up to the fourth generation. Of the 8 cases where the sexes were 

 different 7 of the heifers were sterile, and 1 was fertile but bore a sterile 

 heifer. 



Data concerning fertility of twins in sheep were obtained from a Wiirttem- 

 burg flock book covering a period of 40 years, in which time 190 twins were 



