ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 69 



There was found to be a relatively larger heart in the more active animals, 

 which means better staying power, as the longer diastole gives more time for 

 recuperation. Small hearts and quick pulses are more characteristic of domesti- 

 cated animals than of wild animals, except the race horse, as the most active 

 individuals, because of their unruly nature, are often discarded for breeding 

 purposes. 



Contribution to the knowledge of the temperature of the skin of horses 

 and cattle, R. Spoerl (Beit) age zur Kenntnis dcr Uautwdrme bei Pferd und 

 Rind. Inaug. Diss., Univ. Gicssen, 1911, pp. JfO). — Temperatui-es taken in differ- 

 ent parts of the body under different conditions are presented in tabular form. 



In all cases the temperature of the skin was lower than the rectal tempera- 

 ture, and in all parts of the body was lower in cattle than in horses. The 

 highest temperature was along the median line of the udder in cows, and near 

 the heart and on the throat in horses. The lowest temperatures were at the 

 extremities of the limbs. 



Role of interstitial testicular cells, L. Mazzetti {Anat. Anz., 38 (1911), 

 Ko. l-'t-15, pp. 361-387, figs. 1-) ; abs. in Jour. Roy. Micros. Soc. [London], 191 f, 

 No. 6, p. I'lO). — Interstitial cells from the frog, bird, dog, and man were found 

 to be transformations of connective cells which proliferate between the tubules. 

 They may also arise from lymphatic lacunae. It is thought that they are of 

 either no importance or possibly of some slight significance in connection with 

 secondary sexual characters. 



Biometric ideas and methods in biology; their significance and limitations, 

 R. Pearl (Scientia, 10 (1911), pp. 101-119; abs. in Zentbl. Allg. u. Expt. Biol., 

 2 (1912), No. 21-23, p. S'/G). — The author sketches the rise and progress of 

 biometry as a method of research in anthropology and biology, and shows that 

 the real puri)ose of biology is quantitative treatment and does not imply any 

 particular theory of heredity or variation. Its particular use lies in the fact 

 that it solves the problem of describing the group in terms of its attributes 

 and qualities, and not of individuals. Some of the limitations of the method 

 and the errors that may arise in the improper use of biometric methods are 

 pointed out. 



Skull measurenaents in man and the hoofed mammals, H. F. Osbobn 

 (Science, n. ser., 35 (1912), No. 902, p. 596). — The cephalic indexes and limb 

 ratios are considered by the author to have the value of specific characters 

 and, therefore, to be moi'e significant than direct measurements in the study of 

 comparative anatomy of hoofed animals. For example, in a ci'oss between the 

 horse and ass the cephalic indexes are found to be pure nonblending characters. 

 Among the most significant indexes are the cephalic, the cranial, and the facial. 



Breeding in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, L. Misson (UElevage dans 

 UEiat de Sao Paulo (Br^siJ). Govt. [1,910?], pp. 90, figs. 58).— A general 

 statistical article, with special reference to pure-bred live stock. 



Stock breeding in Kafa, Abyssinia, Bieber (Dent. Rundschau Geogr., 1911, 

 No. 7; ahs. in Iniernat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and Plant 

 Diseases, 2 (1911). No. 6, p. 1.^02). — An outline of the live-stock situation. 



The principal kinds of animals kept are zebus, fat-tailed sheep, horses, mules, 

 and goats. The fowls are small and lay but few eggs, which are not eaten by 

 the natives. Live stock methods are very primitive. Oxen are used only for 

 plowing, horses for riding, and asses and mules as pack beasts. Milk is used 

 chiefly for butter making. All kinds of live stock are cheap. Civets are also 

 bred on a large scale, but only males are reared to any extent, as the females 

 do not yield the product used in perfumery and tobacco factories. 



The live-stock markets of London (Breeders' Gas., 61 (1912), No. 16, pp. 

 937, 938, figs. 6). — An account of the English methods of marketing live stock 



