574 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Germ-cell determinants and their significance, R. W. Hb:gner (Amer. Nat., 

 Ji5 {1911), No. 535, pp. 385-397, figs. 6).— Pole disk granules are called germ 

 cell determinants because only those cells which gather in the granules be- 

 come germ cells. Several hypotheses concerning their origin and significance 

 are suggested. " The attention of investigators ought to be directed toward the 

 problem of discovering tbe origin aud complete history of tbese bodies since 

 their bearing upon the theories of heredity is of fundamental importance." 



A bibliography is aiipended. 



An experimental study of somatic modifications and their reappearance 

 in the offspring, F. B. Sumner {Arch. Entwickl. Mech. Organ., 30 (1910), pt. 2, 

 pp. 311-3Ji8, pis. 3, figs. 11). — The author submits further data on experiments 

 with mice in support of the inheritance of somatic modifications (E. S. R., 22, 

 p. 378). 



The effect on breeding- of the removal of the prostate gland or of the 

 vesiculae seminales, or of both; together with observations on the condition 

 of the testes after such operations on white rats, G. Walker {Johns Hopkins 

 Hosp. Rpts., 16 {1911), pp. 223-255, pi. i).— The excision of the prostate 

 glands, or of the seminal vesicles, or both, in white rats did not in all cases 

 affect the structure of the testes. Wben both were removed they failed to 

 breed, although spermatozoa were found, but when only one of the organs was 

 removed they produced offspring, indicating that one organ could replace to 

 some extent the function of the other. " Excision of the prostate did not have 

 anjr effect on the structure or function of the seminal vesicles." 



Studies in the experimental analysis of sex, G. Smith {Quart. Jour. Micros. 

 Sci. [London], n. ser., 55 {1910), No. 218, pp. 225-240, pi. 1; 56 {1911), No. 223, 

 pp. 591-612). — The author has continued the studies along the line previously 

 noted (E. S. R., 23, p. 173). A case is also reported in which intestinal tuber- 

 culosis caused a degeneration of the reproductive organs of a cockerel, accom- 

 panied by atrophy of the sexual characters, but without approaching those of 

 the female, which is in accord with the theory of sex-limited inheritance. 



The injection of testes extract into hens was found to have an entirely nega- 

 tive effect on the increase of the comb in 8 out of 9 adult and y9ung hens, when 

 compared with the fluctuations in the growth observed in control birds. The 

 injections had no observable effect on the health, body weight, fertility, blood 

 properties, or other features, although large quantities were administered over 

 periods varying from 15 to 75 days. 



Inspection of commercial feed stuffs, P. H. Smith et ai.. {Massachusetts Sta. 

 Bui. 136, pp. 3-56). — This contains results of feed inspection in 1910, with 

 comments thereon. Analyses reported include cottonseed meal, linseed meal, 

 gluten feed, dried brewers' grains, malt siirouts, distillers' dried grains, clover 

 meal, alfalfa meal, wheat by-products, rye meal, bone meal, meat scraps, corn 

 meal, hominy meal, oats, provender, fortified starchy feeds, corn bran, dried- 

 beet pulp, clover and alfalfa meals, and proprietary mixed feeds. 



Analyses of commercial feeding stuffs sold in Maryland (.1/(7. Agr. Col. 

 Quart., 1911, No. 52, pp. 6). — Analyses are reported of cottonseed and linseed 

 meals, gluten feed, beet pulp, distillers' grains, meat meal, beef scrap, molasses 

 feeds, aud proprietary poultry and mixed feeds. 



Concentrated commercial feeding stuffs {Dept. Agr. Tenn. Buls. 1, 1910, pp. 

 S8; 2, 1911, pp. 93). — Analyses are reported of wheat by-products, corn bran, 

 hominy feed, cottonseed meal, dried brewers' grains, malt sprouts, beef scrap, 

 dried-beet pulp, alfalfa meal, linseed meal, chicken feeds, and proprietary mixed 

 teeds. 



[Analyses of cattle feeds], R. Harcourt {Ann. Bpt. Ontario Agr. Col. and 

 Expt. Farm, 36 {1910), pp. 77-79). — Analyses are reported of 74 samples of 



