730 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOBD. 



The formation and regulation of enzyms by some mold fungi, H. Kylin 

 (Jahrb. Wins. Bot. [Pringsheim], 53 {19U), No. 4, pp. 465-501).— The author, 

 giving a detailed account with results of several series of studies involving the 

 activity of Aspergillus iiiger, PenicilUum glaucum, and P. hiforme as regards 

 formation and regulation of diastase, invertase, and maltase, states that two 

 sorts of regulation may be distinguished, namely a qualitative (in which an 

 enzym is formed only when a particular substance is present in the nutritive 

 solution) and a quantitative (when an enzym may be formed under different 

 conditions, but most favorably and in increasing quantity when a component is 

 present which is readily broken up by the en^m in question). A bibliography is 

 appended. 



Physical and chemical factors influencing the toxicity of inorganic salts 

 to Monilia sitophila, L. O. Kuxkel {Bui. Torrey Bot. Club, 41 (1914), No. 5, 

 pp. 265-293, figs. 2). — In extension of work previously reported (E. S. R., 30, 

 p. 227), the author studied the influence of carbohydrates and peptones on the 

 toxicity of 11 diffei'ent chlorids in five different media, using as before cultures 

 of the fungus M. sitophila. 



The results are tabulated and discussed. It is claimed that in studies on 

 toxicity the organic part of the medium must be taken into account. 



A bibliography is appended. 



The behavior of hydrocyanic acid when injected into plants, S. Dezani 

 {Arch. Farmacol Sj^er. e Sci. Aff.. 16 {1913), No. 12. pp. 539-5^6).— Claiming 

 to have found previously that hydrocyanic acid injected into plants was prob- 

 ably broken up by reaction with substances in the plant juices, one of the 

 products thereof being ammonia, the author experimented with minute doses of 

 the acid in question injected into maize and hemp, and holds that direct proof 

 of its utilization was indicated by the results observed. 



Increase of heliotropic sensitivity of seedlings by narcotics, O. Richtee 

 {Sitzber. K. Akad. Wiss. [Fiemia], Math. Naturw. KL, 121 {1912), I, No. 10, 

 pp. 1183-1228, pi. 1, figs. 3). — Describing experiments under varied conditions 

 with seedlings of cereals, etc., the author claims that the heliotropic sensitivity 

 of the plants employed was increased by exposure in a narcotic medium. 



The harmful action of distilled water, R. H. True {Amer. Jour. Bot, 1 

 {1914), No. 6, pp. 255-273, fig. 1). — Presenting details of studies with plants in 

 distilled or tap water or in various solutions, previously noted (E. S. R., 30, p. 

 825), the author considers it probable that the problem of injury by distilled 

 water to contained cells is not a simple one capable in all cases of the same 

 explanation. Besides cases of toxic substances derived from containers, etc., 

 other cases remain unaccounted for. Extraction of electrolytes by distilled 

 water from the cells is regarded as but a special case of a type of injux-y done to 

 cells by unbalanced solutions. Calcium salt added to distilled water to make it 

 osmotically equivalent to tap water protects the chemical integrity of the cells 

 in some way not yet known. Further work is now in progress. 



A bibliography is appended. 



Poisoning of trees on streets by gas, P. Ehrenberg {Ztschr. Pflaneenkrank., 

 24 {1914), No. 1, pp. 33-40, figs. 2). — In the case of linden trees dying on both 

 sides of a street in the middle of a block in Hanover, no parasites could be 

 detected, but a break was found in the gas main in the center of the street. 

 The gases seemed to have percolated beneath the asphalt and were thought to 

 have produced the effects observed. Better ventilation of the space around the 

 trees is suggested. 



Studies on smoke injury, S. Eicke {Natiirio. Ztschr. Forst u. Landic, 12 

 {1914), No. 5, pp. 201-207, figs. 5).— Presenting graphically the results of 

 studies on the growth of pines up to 52 years old as affected by gases from 



