70 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



experiments on the hepatic functions in fat metabolism, using laboratory ani- 

 mals as subjects. 



According to the author's summary, " coconut oil administered to cats or dogs 

 by the mouth can be detected in the liver in 5 or 6 hours. The amount present 

 after times varying from 5 to 12 hours does not exceed 6 per cent of that 

 absorbed." 



When a solution of coconut oil soaps containing glycerin and bile salts was 

 lun into the small intestine, and vphen a very fine emulsion of coconut oil was 

 given intravenously, much larger percentages, respectively, of the absorbed 

 fatty acid and of the oil were found in the liver. 



" It is probable that the greater retention of the oil by the liver when it is 

 administered in the form of soap or a fine emulsion is partly due to the anes- 

 thetic and partly to the rapidity of administration. 



" When coconut oil is being absorbed, the fat in the chyle contains fatty acids 

 with an average higher molecular weight than those in the oil administered. 

 It is probable, therefore, that tlie lower fatty acids in the oil are partly absorbed 

 as sodium salts. 



" The volatile acids obtained from the liver in the above sets of experiments 

 absorbed more iodin than the volatile acids from normal livers. The increase 

 was not great but it probably indicates that saturated fatty acids containing 

 10, 12, or 14 carbon atoms may become unsaturated in the liver." 



On tke reinspiration of expired air, T. R. Crowdeb (Arch. Int. Med., 12 

 {1913), No. 4, pp. 420-^50; ahs. in Zentbl. Biochetn. u. Biophys., 16 (1913), No. 

 i-2, p. 48). — According to the author's conclusion, with complete body rest, 

 from 1 to 2 per cent of the expired air is again inspired. 



A study of the hygienic condition of the air in textile mills with reference 

 to the influence of artificial humidification, H. W. Clark and S. DeM. Gage 

 (Ann. Rpt. Bd. Health Mass., U U912), pp. 655-692).— Methods for examining 

 air are described and the effect of humidifying air discussed on the basis of the 

 experimental data recorded. 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



Genetics, H. E. Walter (New York, 1913, pp. Xir+272, pi. 1, figs. 11).— 

 Chajiters are included in this book on the carriers of the heritage, variation, 

 mutation, the inheritance of acquired characters, the pure line, segregation 

 and dominance, reversion to old types and the making of new ones, blending 

 inheritance, the determination of sex, the application to man, and human 

 conservation. . A bibliography of 26 references is appended. 



The present state of the question of inbreeding in Germany, H. Kraemer 

 {Internal. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Mo. Bill. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 4 {1913), 

 No. 8, pp. 1150-1157). — It is stated that "in Germany in all the important 

 Ijranches of stock breeding the question of inbreeding is being most actively 

 studied. Instead of entertaining opinions, views, and prejudices, the tendency 

 is to form a solid foundation of facts. These efforts have a far-reaching im- 

 portance and in all cases when the herd books have allowed it they have 

 obtained valuable results. It has been found everywhere that really important 

 breeding animals always belong to families in which tlie excellence of their 

 blood is especially due to a few preeminent ancestors, and when this is recog- 

 nized the real value of inbreeding and of lines of blood is put in its true 

 light. ... On the whole the present tendency is toward emphasizing selection, 

 a more rigorous picking out of favorable hereditary variations." 



