1917] ANIMAL PRODUCTTON. 563 



and partially depancreatized dogs suggest that " the internal function of the 

 pancreas may be closely akin to its external function in that, on the one hand 

 (external), it provides for the complete neuti'alization of the acid contents of 

 the stomach, thereby protecting the liver in its glycogenic function, and on the 

 other (internal), it somehow preserves the proper concentration of hydrogen 

 ions in the tissues for combustion of glucose." 



Scurvy in Zhob, Baluchistan, A. L. Sheppaed {Indian Jour. Med. Research, 

 4 (1916), No. 2, pp. 340-358). — In the light of his experience as medical officer, 

 the author discusses the occurrence of scurvy in this region, together with the 

 etiology of the disease, its symptoms, etc. 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



Digestibility of the cell wall of wood, G. Haberlandt and N. Zuntz (Sitsher. 

 K. Preuss. Akad. Wiss., 1915, XLI, pp. 686-708, fig. 1).— This reports the results 

 of an anatomical and microscopical study of birch wood, the preparation and 

 microscopical nature of birch-wood dust (ground wood), the chemical constitu- 

 tion of birch wood and dust, a metabolism experiment with a sheep to deter- 

 mine the digestibility and evaluation of birch-wood dust as a feeding stuff, and 

 a microscopical examination of the excrement of the experimental animal. The 

 wood examined was found to have the following percentage composition : Water 

 4.56; nitrogen, 0.108 (protein, 0.675) ; either extract, 0.45; nitrogen-free extract, 

 61.56 ; crude fiber, 32.3 ; and ash, 0.46. 



The experimental animal received a daily ration consisting of 450 gm. of wood 

 dust, 30 gm. of wheat gluten, 100 gm. of molasses, and 75 gm. of starch, together 

 with 5 gm. calcium carbonate and 100 cc. of salt solution containing 5 gm. 

 sodium acid phosphate, 1 gm. magnesium sulphate, and 3 gm. sodium chlorid. 

 From the results obtained it is concluded in general that partially or completely 

 wooded cell walls such as occur in birch wood are to a very large extent diges- 

 tible by ruminants. The complete comminution of the wood, which was princi- 

 pally to liberate the cell contents, also destroys the cell walls, thus making 

 them more digestible. 



The question as to the value of this material for other ruminants is noted 

 and a further study to determine the practical value of its feeding is indicated. 



Commercial feeding stuffs, 1915-16, C. D. Woods {Maine Sta. Off. Insp., 19 

 {1916), pp. 53-136). — Tabulated data are given showing registrations of feeding 

 stuffs and notes on the results of the examination of 675 samples. A brief 

 statement is presented by A. M. G. Soule upon the results of feeding-stuffs 

 inspection in the State in 1915-16, 



Comm^ercial feeding stuffs, J. L. Hxlls, C. H. Jones, and G. F. Andeeson 

 {Vermont Sta. Bui. 197 {1916), pp. 45). — These pages contain notes on the re- 

 sults of the 1916 inspection. The large percentage of samples deficient in the 

 claims of the guaranty is noted. 



Cottonseed meal compared with velvet beans for fattening steers, G. S. 

 Templeton and E. Gibbens {Alabama Col. Sta. Bui. 192 {1916), pp. 135-141, 

 pis. 2). — A comparison was made of the relative feeding value of cotton-seed 

 meal and velvet beans in pods as supplements for corn silage for fattening 

 steers. Forty native 1 to 2 year old grade Hereford, Shorthorn, and Angus steers 

 averaging about 584 lbs. were used in the test. The experiment, which began 

 December 18, 1915, and lasted 97 days, was conducted under average farm con- 

 ditions at Allenville, the steers being fed in the open. Twenty of the steers 

 were fed cottcmseed meal at the rate of from 2.76 lbs. per steer daily at the 

 beginning to 6.46 lbs. at the end of the experiment, and the other 20 steers 

 velvet beans at the rate of from 5.7 lbs. at the beginning to 12 lbs. when on 



