842 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



portion of plants grown in river sand came to flower a mnch larger portion matured 

 wlien grown in humus cultures. 



The seed fungus of the darnel, E. M. Freeman {Proc. Roy. Sue. [London'], 71 

 {1902), No. 4^]7, pp. 27-30).- — The presence of a considerable layer of hypha' about 

 the seed of the darnel {Lolium temulentum) was shown by (Tuerin several years ago 

 (E. S. R., 11, p. 906), but thus far nothing has been ascertained regarding the method 

 of infection of the plant. The author has carried on a series of experiments and has 

 ascertained that in adilition to the well-known hyphal layer surrounding the aleu- 

 rone, there is a patch of hypha? just outside of and contiguous to the base of the 

 scutellum. From this area can be traced an abundant mycelium which penetrates 

 the growing point of the embryo in the seed and thus affects the young growing 

 point. No trace of any spores has been found and their presence seems unnecessary 

 to the ordinary life cycle of the fungus. Other varieties and species of Lolinm occa- 

 sionally contain a liyi)hal layer which is probably identical with that of the darnel. 

 The fungus layer is found in a varying proportion of the grains. All attempts to 

 obtain cultures of the nuclear liyphie have failed, indicating either that the hypha? 

 have lost their vitality, or, what is believed to be more probable, they are too closely 

 adapted to symbiotic life to allow of artificial cultivation. There is believed to be 

 no reason for the supposition of any so-called mycoplasm in the embrj'o, as the 

 fungus is nearly always present as distinct hyphaj. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Judg-ing the benefits and injuries produced by insectivorous birds, K. Eck- 

 stein {VerhomJJ. V. Tntcrnnt. Zool. Cong, llcrlhi, lUOl, p}). nP^-olO). — Attention is 

 called to the serious difficulties connected with the problem of determining the eco- 

 nomic relations of insectivorous birds. Many species of injurious insects upon which 

 these birds feed have natural limitations to their distribution, and various natural 

 enemies assist in holding these insects in check. The parasitic and predaceous 

 insects as well as fungus and bacterial diseases and unfavorable climatic influences 

 must be considered as factors of some importance. The prol)lem of determining just 

 how luuch benefit insectivorous liirds produce by their feeding habits is therefore 

 a difficult one. The author believes that the laws which have thus far been passed 

 offering jirotection for certain species of birds and M'ithholding it from others might 

 l)c iiiipnpv<'d in numcrons instances. 



Birds and insects in relation to agriculture, E. II. Fokbusu ( Trans, ^[a^<me]nl- 

 fietts Ilort. Soc, 1902, I, pp. 95-101). — A popular discussion of the agency of birds in 

 controlling the multiplication of injurious insects. 



A partial bibliography of the economic relations of North American 

 birds, C. M. Weed {New Ilanipsltire Sta. Teeli. Bui. 5, p)p. 137-179).— The axithor has, 

 compiled a list of the more important works on American economic ornithology, 

 from 1808 to 1901, inclusive. The number of titles liste<l is nearly 300 and the titles 

 are arranged in their chronological order. 



Measures to be adopted for bird protection in Egypt, W. I. Bey {Jour. Khr- 

 div. Agr. Soc. <uid Schaiil Agr., 4 {1902), No. (!, pp. 247-252). — Under existing laws in 

 Egyjit the slaughter of all kinds of birds has proceeded at a rapid pace. The author 

 believes that restrictions must be placed upon hunters in order that some of the 

 more valuable insectivorous birds may be saved from destruction. 



Birds of New Zealand, D. V. Lucas {Jour, and Proc. Hamilton Sci. Assoc, 1901-2, 

 No. IS, pp. 20-29, figs. 4). — Notes are given on the habits and economic relations of 

 the kca, cuckoo, crows, tui, hnia, kiwi, and moa. 



Destroying sparrows {Agr. Gaz. Neiv SovtJi Wales, 13 {1902), No. 12, j). 1197). — 

 The best results in killing English sparrows were obtained from dissolving 1 oz. 

 strychnin in 14 fluid oz. absolute alcohol and 4 pts. hot water. 'After the solution is 



