AGPRICULTURAL BOTANY. 223 



(he decomposition of the films under the action of the oxygen of the air. For- 

 maldehyde was not produced when the films were illuminated in a moist at- 

 mosphere of nitrogen or of carbon dioxid. The author claims there is no evi- 

 dence of the photosynthesis of the aldehyde from carbon dioxid by chlorophyll 

 outside of the plant. An extract of carotin was also investigated and the 

 bleaching of the films of carotin extract was found to be associated with the 

 formation of formaldehyde. 



Th.e direct assimilation of free atmospheric nitrogen by plants, E. Mameli 

 and G. Pollacci (Ann. 8ci. Agron., 4. set:, 3 (1914), No. 3, pp. 123-142).— The 

 various theories regarding the assimilation of free atmospheric nitrogen are 

 reviewed, particular attention being paid to that of Jamieson regarding ab- 

 sorption through special trichomes (E. S. R., 19, p. 127). The authors criticise 

 the methods by which Jamieson conducted his experiments and find nothing to 

 substantiate his claim. 



In the second part of the paper accounts are given of experiments with a 

 large number of plants, ranging from fungi to phanerogams, grown under con- 

 trolled conditions in the absence of combined nitrogen. As a result of their 

 investigations the authors conclude that the capacity to absorb free atmos- 

 pheric nitrogen is one possessed by many or all plants, although some, through 

 their long dependence on combined nitrogen, may have lost this power. They 

 are unable to say definitely in what manner or by what special organs the 

 nitrogen is absorbed, but are disposed to think that it is a physiological func- 

 tion of plants that may be in some way connected with the chemical reactions 

 taking place within the cell. 



The influence of organic substances on nitrification and denitrification in 

 cultivated soils, C. Barthel (Ztschr. Gdrunffs-ph]/siol., 4 {1914), -Vo. 1, pp. 

 11-48, fig. 1). — Referring to the claim of Winogradski and Omelianski (E. S. R., 

 11, p. 424) that the presence of small proportions of organic substances checked 

 the activity of nitrifying bacteria, and of others said to have obtained results 

 with soils opposed to those given by solutions, the author holds, as the result 

 of his own studies, that the influence of organic substances upon nitrification, 

 if not present in too large proportions, is usually rather favorable than other- 

 wise, because of their ready solubility. 



Assimilation of inorganic nitrogen compounds by plants, O. Baudisch 

 {Naturioissenschaften, 2 (1914), Nos. 9, pp. 199-204; 10, pp. 229-232).— This Is 

 mainly a synthesis and discussion of results presented by several investigators 

 uamed, as bearing upon the influence of different wave lengths in nutritive 

 processes in plants. The waves of high frequency are thought to be peculiarly 

 influential as chemical factors in high regions, where the thin dry air allows 

 them freer passage and access to plant foliage. 



Assimilation of nitrates by mold fungi, II, A. Kossowicz (Ztschr. Gdrungs- 

 physiol., 3 (1913), No. 4, PP- 321-326). — Reporting further investigations on the 

 fungi formerly studied (E. S. R., 29, p. 29), the author states that all nine 

 species were able to attain fair development when limited to nitrates as a 

 nitrogen source in the medium, some however requiring considerably more time 

 than others. These mold fungi appear to utilize directly the nitrous ion without 

 the formation of ammonia, the presence of the latter, when noted in the medium, 

 being attributed to the activity of the older fungi acting upon nitrogenous 

 organic compounds. 



Protein transformations in yeast. — I, Influence of fermentation on protein 

 formation, W. Zaleski and W. Schataloff [BiocJiem. Ztschr., 55 (1913). No. 

 1-2, pp. 63-71). — ^Among the conclusions reached as the result of these experi- 

 ments the authors state that acetic aldehyde does not greatly influence proteo- 

 55733°— No. 3—14 3 



