BOTANY. 515 



The determination of the Reichert-Meissl number, M. Sikgfeld (Chem. Ztg., 

 22 (1898), No. 72, pp. 73S, 789, fig. 1).— In determining the volatile fatty acids by the 

 Reichert-Meissl method, it is proposed to measure the 5 gm. of fat with a pipette, 

 instead of weighing it out. In a large number of trials the amount measured in this 

 way ranged from 4.967 to 5.045 gm., and this variation would result in an error of 

 from 0.2 to 0.3, which the author believes to be of little account in this determina- 

 tion. A water bath is described for use in heating aud filtering the fat at the desired 

 temperature. This accommodates 10 samples of fat at a time. 



On the determination of undigested fat and casein in infant feces, H. Pool 

 (Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, 20 (1S9S), No. 10, pp. 765-769). — Using the method previously 

 described by the author (E. S. R., 9, p. 917), examinations were made of 34 samples, 

 the results of which are tabulated. 



Microscopic water analysis, C. Mez (Alilroscopische Wasseranalyse. Berlin: 

 J. Springer, 1898; aos. in Bot. Centbl., 75 (1898), No. l,pp. 10-12).— Treats of the micro- 

 scopic examination of drinking and drainage waters. 



A study of the nitrogen contained in wine, J. Laborde (Ann. Inst. Pasteur, 12 

 (1898), No. 8, pp. 517-540.) 



The composition of eeolosomine, A. B. Griffiths (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sei. Paris, 

 127 (1898), No. 13, pp. 448, 449). — This is a so-called respiratory proteid. 



The proteid and nonalbuminoid nitrogen in straw and chaff '(Deut. Landw. 

 Presse, 25 (1898), No. 65, p. 713). — The total protein and nonalbuminoid nitrogen in 

 25 kinds of straw and chaff of cereals and legumes is given. 



Miscellaneous chemical work, C. L. Penxy (Delaivare Sta. Rpt. 1897, pp. 163- 

 165).— Discusses very briefly tests of methods of preserving and analyzing milk 

 samples, and reports analyses (with reference to sugar content) of 4 varieties of 

 sorghum which had been subjected to selective propagation for several years. 



Lubricants for glass stop-cocks, F. C. Phillips (Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, 20 (1898), 

 No. 9, pp. 678-6S1). — A mixture of pure rubber 70 parts, spermaceti 25 parts, and 

 vaseline 5 parts "lubricates well, is translucent, adheres to the glass, aud is not 

 saponitiable. . . . Another preparation which gave still better results was made by 

 mixing pure rubber 70 parts and yellow unbleached beeswax 30 parts. . . . A thick 

 rubber and wax mixture is especially suited for well-ground glass stop-cocks upon 

 gas vessels which are to be exhausted and which have therefore to sustain the full 

 pressure of the atmosphere. Such mixtures have been in use for stop-cocks of ordi- 

 nary burettes in volumetric work during about two years, and have given satisfac- 

 tory results in every way." 



BOTANY. 



A revision of the North American species of Calamagrostis, 

 T. H. Kearney ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Agrostology Bui. 11, pp. 

 7-42, Jig. 1). — This is a monographic revision of the i^orth American 

 species of Calamagrostis, together with notes on geographic distribu- 

 tion, ecology, teratology, and hybridism. A list is given of excluded 

 species and an analytical key to the species recognized. The new- 

 species described by the author are: Calamagrostis lemmoni, C.foliosa, 

 G. angusta, C. subflexuosa, G. fasciculata, C. nemoralis, G. alaskana, G. 

 laxiflora, C. micrantha, G. californica, and G. labradorica. In all 38 

 species and a number of varieties are enumerated. 



Descriptions of new or little-known grasses, F. Lamson- 

 Scrlbner ( U. S. Dept., Agr., Division of Agrostology Bui. 11. pp. 

 42-60, pis. 17, figs. 11). — Descriptions are given with reference to hab- 

 itat, etc., of a number of new or poorly known species of grasses. 



