ZOOLOGY. 229 



and on the other hand, with the participation of microorganisms. The 

 results indicate that tlie decomposition of the manure was almost 

 exclusively d"e to the activity of the bacteria, and in but an insig- 

 nificant degree to direct oxidation. Artificial elevation of the temper- 

 ature to 50 to 56° C, while intensifying the purely chemical process 

 of oxidation of the manure three and a half times, greatly depressed 

 the life activity of the microorganisms, and thus weakened oxidation 

 due to their action seven and a half times. In all these experiments 

 mixtures of 3 kinds of bacteria were used. Each culture when used 

 separately exhibited considerably less oxidizing power than the mix- 

 ture of the three. — P. FIREMAN. 



Contribution to the knowledge of ana'erobiosis, X. Chudiakow 

 (Izv. Moslcov. Selslc. Inst. [Ann. Agron. lust. Moscou], 2 (1896), pp. 1- 

 116). — From the results of an extensive experimental investigation on 

 this subject the author arrived at the following conclusions: Oxygen 

 exerts a decidedly germicidal effect on the anaerobic bacteria only under 

 the condition of relatively protracted action. If the action is not pro- 

 tracted fermentation is checked, but none except the weaker organisms 

 are killed. In none of the media used did the anaerobic bacteria develop 

 with an unlimited excess of air. In media containing not more than 

 0.5 per cent of oxygen the anaerobic bacteria may absorb oxygen in 

 the process of respiration without injury. By successive cultures with 

 gradually increasing amounts of oxygen purely anaerobic bacteria may 

 be so modified that they can thrive in atmospheres containing amounts 

 of oxygen which would originally have proved fatal. Aerobic and anae- 

 robic bacteria may simultaneously exist under an atmospheric pressure 

 of 5 to 10 mm. — p. FIREMAN. 



Bacteria in soil, air, and water at Ultuna, Sweden, A. Lagekvali. (Rpt. Ultima 

 Agr. Inst. 1895, Falun, 1896, pp. 40-48). 



On the oxidizing action of manganese salts and on the chemical composition 

 cf oxydases, G. Bertkand (Compt. Bend. lead. Sci. Paris, 1!4 {1897), No. ?•/, pp. 

 1855-1358), 



Bactericidal action of tannin, G. Goegg (Ann. Mierogr., '■> (1S97), pp. 49-144; abs. 

 in Jour. Roy. Micros. Soc. [London], 1897, No, 3, p. 239). — Bacillus anihracis, B. pyocya- 

 neus, B. coli communis, />'. prodigosus, and Staphylococcus aureus were studied in con- 

 nection with different strengths of the tannins, aspidospertannic, coffee-tannic, 

 catechu tannic, kino-tanuic, gallic, rhatany-tannic, and tannic acids. Aspidosper- 

 tannic acid is more bactericidal than officinal tannin, and explains the remarkable 

 tanning properties of Quebracho Colorado from which it is obtained. Kino-tannic 

 acid is more powerful than the kinos themselves. Bacillus pyocyaneus and Staphy- 

 lococcus pyogenes aureus are killed by rhatany-tannic acid. Spore-forming bacteria 

 are little affected by tannin. 



ZOOLOGY. 



The birds of Colorado, W. W. Cooke (Colorado Sta. Bui. 37, pp. 

 3-143). — After a brief introduction, in which it is stated that the num- 

 ber of species and varieties of birds known to occur in Colorado is 3G0, 

 of which 228 breed there; that the basis of the avifauna of the State is 



