FOODS — HUMAN NUTRITION. 565 



The fowl tick (Argas persicus), W. W. Froggatt (Agr. Gaz. N. S. Wales, 23 

 (1012), Xo. 3, pp. 25'f-261, figs. 7/). — This paper eoutaius new information which 

 has come to hand regarding the identity and range of the fowl ticlx. 



Trombidiidae, A. Beklese {Rcdia, S {1912), No. 1, pp. 1-291, pi. 1, figs. 137).— 

 This is a synopsis of the family. 



The leaf blister mite (Eriophyes pyri), A. L. Quaintance ( U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bur. Ent. Circ. 154, PP- 0, figs. .)). — This is a brief summarized account of the 

 knowledge of the blister mite, a report of studies of which by P. J. Parrott, 

 H. E. Hodgkiss, and W. J. Schoene has been previously noted (E. S. R., 18, 

 p. 955). 



On the parasitism, of a cynipid (Aulax scabiosse) by Pediculoides ventri- 

 cosus, G. R. Blanc (Bill. Hoc. Zool. France, 31 {1912), Xo. J, pp. 191-197, figs. 

 5). — The author reports a case of accidental parasitism of a gallicolous cynipid 

 (A. scahlosa') by the acarid P. rentricosus. A bibliography of IS titles is 

 appended. 



Physiological investigations of entomophytous fungi, P. Poktieb {Rccher- 

 clies Physiologiques sur les Champignons Entomophytes. Paris, 1911, pp. ^7, 

 figs. 10; ahs. in Zenthl. Allg. u. Expt. Biol., 2 {1912), No. 21-23, pp. 565, 566).— 

 This v/ork deals largely with studies made of a fungus (Isaria) and a 

 diplococcus, which live symbiotically in the interior of the caterpillar, chrysalis, 

 and adult of the lepidopteron Nonagria typha\ which mines in the pith of 

 Typha lati folia. 



Cold storage of furs and fabrics, E. P. Tweedy {Sci. Amer. Sup., 71, {1912), 

 No. 1905, pp. 10, 11). — This article describes the manner of applying cold in 

 preventing injury by clothes moths. While a temperature of 40° F. is effective, 

 the temperature most coumionly carried in cold storage rooms ranges from 20 

 to 26°. At these lower temperatures the furs retain a fresh and glossy ap- 

 pearance, and the flexibility of the skins is preserved by a lessening of the 

 evaporation of their natural oils. 



FOODS— HUMAN NUTRITION. 



The net weight or volume of food products which are sold in packages, 

 J. P. Street {Conned iciit State Sta. Bui. 172, pp. 35).— The text of the Connecti- 

 cut law of 1911 on this subject is given, the general question of weight and 

 volume of goods sold in packages is discussed, and data are reported regarding 

 the size and weight of standard cans and results of the determination of the 

 gross and net weights of a large number of samples of canned and package 

 goods. 



On the basis of weighings of 623 samples of canned vegetables, the author 

 states that " the uniformity in weight of the contents of individual cans of the 

 same brand of vegetables, excepting artichokes, peppers, succotash, and toma- 

 toes, is very striking, and it -appears that, in general, the manufacturer at 

 present packs a fairly uniform amount of the vegetable in cans of the same 

 size." 



Observations regarding the amount of liquid and solid material in canned 

 fruits and vegetables are reported but deductions are not drawn as it is ex- 

 liected to continue the work. 



With 164 samples of canned fruits, the uniformity of weight was not so great 

 as with vegetables, and in the author's opinion a somewhat greater allowance 

 should be made, owing to the larger size of the fruits. 



The 120 samples of canned fish, meats, and soups showed consider;, ble uni- 

 formity in weight, with the exception of flsh flakes, which showed much irregu- 



