ANIMAL PEODUCTION. 773 



abstraction of the fat. The cock's comb contains only small quantities of fat 

 comparatively in the central core, the substance of the comb consisting principally 

 of fibrous connective tissue. The cock's comb does not exhibit marked fluctu- 

 ations like the hen. The increase in the comb is not accompanied by a rise in 

 general body weight, though such a rise usually occurs some time before the 

 increase and fat deposition occur. The explanation of the fatty infiltration of 

 the comb is found in the fact that at the egg-laying periods the blood becomes 

 charged with fatty material which is conveyed to the ovary for the formation 

 of yolk, and that the excess of this fatty material is deposited in the comb. A 

 close parallel is observed in the fat metabolism of the laying hen and of spider 

 crabs parasitized by Sacculina," 



Castration by X-rays, C. Regaud and T. Nogiek {Conipt. Rend. Soc. Biol. 

 [Paris], 10 {1911), No, 1, pp. 5-1; abs. in Jour. Roy. Micros. Soc. [London], 

 1911, No. 3, p. 3-'fl). — It was found possible to sterilize the testis of an adult cat ' 

 by the use of X-rays and without lesion of the skin. Oviform cells survived the 

 exposure, but they gradually diminished in number and the seminal epithelium 

 remained sterile. 



Sterilization by X-rays, T. Nogier and C. Regaud (Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. 

 [Paris], 10 (1911), No. 2, pp. 50-52; abs. m Jour. Roy. Micros. Soc. [London], 

 1911, No. 3, pp. 3.^1, 3Jf8). — Complete sterilization of the dog was obtained by 

 means of the X-rays. As in the cat, there were some refractory oviform cells, 

 but they were not able to repopulate the seminal epithelium. Sterilization was 

 effected without radijo-dermitis by taking precautions. 



The geology and paleontology of the caves of Grimaldi, M. Boule (Les 

 Grottes de Grimaldi. — Geologic et Paleontologie. Monaco, 1910, vol. 1, pt. S, 

 pp. 151-236, pis. 6; rev. in Nature [London], 81 (1911), No. 2118, pp. 112, 113, 

 map 1). — This contains a full account of various animal bones recovered 

 from the Baousse-Raousse caves at Mentone. 



Of the ancestors of domesticated animals the Equidse were represented by 

 Equus asinus, E. caballus, E. caballus typicus, and E. robustus. Neither E. 

 przcwalskii nor the zebra appeared to have been present. Remains of Sus 

 scrofa were abundant. In the Mentone neighborhood Bos primigeiiius made 

 its appearance quite as early as Bison priscus, if not indeed earlier. Bos 

 longifrons was absent. Rupicapra tragus was of a vigorous type, showing 

 aflinities to the chamois of the Alps and the Pyrenees. Capra ibex was repre- 

 sented by a large number of specimens, and is considered to be the ancestor 

 of the Alpine goat of to-day. 



Conclusions are confirmed that there was no sudden or complete break in 

 the evolution or history of the fauna of western Europe from the Paleolithic 

 to the Neolithic times, with but little natural organic evolution in the larger 

 mammalia from the earliest Pleistocene to the present day, although some 

 of the animals of the Pleistocene have disappeared through changes in climatic 

 conditions or through the hand of man, while others have deteriorated in size 

 and vigor as they have gradually come under the yoke. The horse, however, 

 forms a notable exception, having improved in physique and gained in strength. 



College live stock and judging competitions, C. S. Plumb (Breeder's Gaz., 

 60 (1911), No. 1, pp. 2-iO, 21,1, fig. i).— This is a defense of student-judging 

 contests, and a discussion of the merits and demerits of having colleges exhibit 

 live stock at shows. It is stated that both arouse interest and are educational 

 affairs, and are as reasonable and justifiable as student debates, orations, or 

 other intellectual contests. 



[The utilization of by-products of the vine as stock feeds], V. Vermoeel 

 and E. Dantony (In Utilisation des Sous-Produits de la Vigne et du Vin. 

 14867°— No. 8—11 G 



