1918.] ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY. 555 



Polyporus shorese (Roy. Bot. Gard. Kcw, Bui. Misc. Inform., No. S (1916), 

 p. 72). — A fungus suspected to cause a serious disease of sal (Shorea robusta) 

 is described under the name of P. shorew. The effect on the wood is said to be 

 similar to that produced by Trametes pini, but more marked. 



The black zones formed by wood-destroying' fungi, A. S. Rhoads (Syra- 

 cuse Univ. IPubs.], 17 (1917), No. 28, pp. 61, figs. 7).— This is the beginning 

 of an attempt to throw some light on the nature and significance of the black 

 lines or zones of decay which accompany several fungi in many kinds of wood. 

 These are said to indicate the first stage of decomposition in dicotyledonous 

 woods, but may also be found in wounds in such trees while living or when but 

 newly fallen, even before the presence of fungi can be demonstrated, being in 

 this case due solely to oxidation of the woody substance. These decomposition 

 products are said to arise only after the death of the cells through the oxidation 

 of their contents and certain constituents of the cell walls, this formation occur- 

 ring most notably in the parenchyma cells, which are infiltrated, causing the 

 appearance of blackish zones of varying thickness. Wood thus infiltrated is 

 to be considered as pathological heartwood. The blackish zones move forward 

 with the advance of decay and disappear with its completion in a given region. 

 In coniferous woods the formation of these decoloring decomposition products 

 is relatively insignificant. Three factors said to be necessary are the presence 

 of dead cells, an optimum supply of moisture, and sufficient oxygen to supply 

 the needs of the oxidation process. 



The partially decomposed material of woody plants forms a particularly 

 vague and indefinite group of substances containing the nonvolatile products 

 of the action of fungi, enzyras, and oxygen, all of which are exceptionally 

 resistant to chemical reagents. 



It is possible to prepare, by oxidizing fresh sapwood, a product resembling 

 that resulting from decomposition in various woods, either in wounded areas 

 of living trees, in dead wood, or as the result of the activity of wood-destroying 

 fungi. Decomposition products resembling the so-called wound gum are caused 

 by oxidation or else by wood-destroying fungi which hasten the decomposition 

 and hence the oxidation. 



Damage by spurs, J. L. Richards (Mass. Forestry Assoc. Bui., 117 (1915), 

 pp. 25-27, pis. 3). — An accoimt of the admission of destructive nematodes and 

 fungi, including chestnut blight, by way of the wounds made by climbing irons, 

 which leads to the conclusion that spurs should not be used on valuable trees. 



Tests with chemicals on control of nematodes, T. A. C. Schoeveks (Meded. 

 Rijks Hoogere Land, Tuin en Boschbouwsch. IWageningen], 12 (1917), No. 1, 

 pp. 46-48). — The author reports some preliminary tests with several chemicals 

 In attempting to control Heterodera radicicola in roots of tomato plants. He 

 states that lime mixed with ammonium sulphate gave the best results, but that 

 these were almost equaled by those from naphthalin and those from formalin. 

 Two compounds tested seemed rather to favor the development of the nematodes. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



The vertebrate zoologist and national efficiency, W. P. Taylor (Science, 

 n. ser., 46 (1917), No. 1180, pp. 123-127). 



Conservation of game in the National Forests and National Parks, B. W. 

 Nelson (Amer. Forestry, 23 (1917), No. 279, pp. 139-145, figs. 10). 



What Big Lake [Reservation] means as a game refuge, G. W. Field (Wild 

 Life, 1 (1917), No. 1, pp. 5, 15, fig. 1). 



Rio Grande bird reservation, New Mexico, G. Willett (Reclam. Rec. [U. S.], 

 8 (1917), No. 4, pp. 190, 191, fig. 1). 



