422 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Nitrogen assimilation and proteid formation of plants, T. Czapek {Beitr. 

 diem, rhyslol. u. Pathol. '/Anckr. Biochem., 1 {1902), pp. 538-560; abs. in Bot. Centbl, 

 39 {1902), No. 18, p. 518). — Cultures were made with ^Isjoerg'iZ/us mg'er in solutions 

 containing different forms of nitrogen. The cultures were divided into series in order 

 to compare derivatives of different organic acids, such as the ammoniacal salt, 

 amid, nitril, monamid acid and corresponding amid, the oxyacid ammoniacal salt 

 and its corresponding amid, etc. Sugar was added as required to supply the neces- 

 sary carbohydrates for the plant. The results obtained showed in each series, as the 

 acetic, proprionic, tartaric, etc.; the amid acid was the most favorable source of nitro- 

 gen, followed by the oxyacid ammoniacal salt, wiiilc the nitril and monocarbonic 

 acid salt of ammonia were always the poorest. In the albuminoid synthesis of the 

 muld studied the amid acids furnished the best sources of supply. This was best 

 secured whei* the amount of nitrogen offered corresponded with the percentage found 

 in the albuminoids of the plant. 



The germinative power of the conidia of Aspergillus oryzae, Mary F. 

 IliLLER (/^roc. Indiana Acad. Set., 1901, pp. 272-275). — A series of experiments is 

 reported upon in which the germination of the conidia of Aspergillus oryzw in dif- 

 ferent media was tested. It appears that the germinative power of the conidia of this 

 mold is dependent upon the medium upon which the inoculating material is grown. 

 In the experiments conducted the inoculating material varied from 2 years to 4 years 

 and 7 months, and from the results obtained the germinative power seemed to dimin- 

 isti with increased age. Some media were found to be decidedly favorable to the 

 germination of the fungus while others were detrimental. Alcohol was found not to 

 have any stimulating effect upon the conidia. A brief bil)liography completes the 

 paper. 



The stimulating action of soluble salts of copper on Penicillium glaucum, 

 Le Rexari) {.Tovr. But. \_l\iris], 16 (1902), Xo. S, pp. 97-107; abs. in Bot. CentbL, 89 

 (1902), No. 24, p. 693).— The salts of copper In small quantity in certain i:>lant nutri- 

 ents acts as a stimulus to the growth of some organisms. The stimulative action 

 does not proceed regularly with the increase of the chemical, but is apparently con- 

 trolled by the media used in the cultures. The stimulating effect is greatest in 

 those media which are the most readily assimilable. Glucose is the medium admit- 

 ting the greatest excitive action, followed by levulose and gelose. Saccharose, which 

 is ordinarily readily assimilable by the mold experimented with, seems to check 

 the action of the copper salts. The sulphate, chlorid, and nitrate of copper stimu- 

 lated growth under the conditions of the experiment, but copper acetate was with- 

 out appreciable effect, the acetate being reduced in the presence of glucose. Copper 

 salts retard germination instead of stimulating it, as in the case of the growth of 

 the mycelium of the fungus. 



The resistanrce of some molds to metallic poisons, C. Pulst (Jahrb. Wiss. Bot. 

 IFringsheim], 37 (1902), No. 2, pp. 205-263, figs. 2; abs. in Bot. Centbl, 89 (1902), No. 

 24, p. 684). — The concentration of metallic salts which molds can withstand when 

 the poisonous compound is added to nutrient media in which the molds are grown 

 varies widely with different organisms. Mucor muvedo, Aspergillus niger, and Botry- 

 tis cinerea are capable of enduring only weak solutions, while Penicillium glaucum 

 is very resistant. The effect of a salt depends upon the physiological effect of the 

 undissociated part and the concerted action of the kations. 



The effect of copper upon Penicillium glaucum was so slight as to be unimportant 

 and the fungus underwent such changes in its development that the filaments in 

 contact with the poison were uninjured, although a poisonous quantity was present. 



Preliminary notes on some new species of fungi, G. F. Atkinson (Jour. 

 Mycol, 8 (1902), No. 63, pp. ii(?-ii5).— Descriptions are given of about 25 new 

 species of basidiomycetous fungi. 



