24 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



given a complete fertilizer, but this was not the case under the conditions of the 

 water cultures. 



An ecological comparison of some typical swamp areas, S. M. Coulter 

 [Missouri Hot. Garden Rj>t., 15 {1904), PP- 39-72, pis. 24, maps 3 I. — The author pre- 

 sents a study of a number of swamp areas in northern Michigan, in Illinois, and in 

 Arkansas, the intention being to group together the available data preliminary to 

 field work on the part of the writer and others. The different regions are described, 

 the characteristic vegetation, distribution of species, etc., being shown. 



Some aspects of desert vegetation, I). T. MacDougal I Plant World, 6 (1903), 

 No. 11, pp. 249-257, ph. 5, figs. 5). — This article, which is No. 46 of the Contribu- 

 tions from the New York Botanical Garden, describes some of the more striking 

 features of the prominent types of vegetation occurring in the arid regions of this 

 country and calls attention to phases of their life history which need further 

 investigation. 



Some rare moor builders, R. Tolf (Svenska Mosskulturf&r. Tidskr., 17 (1903), 

 No. 5, pp. 322-324). — The .'! species of plants described in this paper are but seldom 

 met with in the flora of Swedish moors: Grimmia hypnoides, Stereodon imponens, and 

 Cetraria nivalis. — v. w. woll. 



Aberrant veil remnants in some edible agarics, W. Tkelease (Missouri Bot. 

 Garden Rpt., 15 (1904), pp. 83-85, pis. 10). — Attention is called to the fact that 

 occasionally some species of mushrooms which are known to be edible retain some 

 remnants of veil which would, among inexperienced individuals, result in their 

 being considered as poisonous species. 



Concerning the toxicology of Amanita muscaria, E. Harmsen (Arch. Expi r. 

 Path. u. PharmakoL, 50 (1903), p. 361; abs. in Hyg. Rundschau, 14 (1904), No. 10, 

 pp. 486, 487) . 



METEOROLOGY- CLIMATOLOGY. 



The climate of the Philippines, J. Algue (U. S. Depl. Com. and Labor, Census 

 of the Philippine Islands Bui. 2, 1903, pp. 103, j)ls. 27, maps 2). — This is a detailed 

 account based on all available observations. It includes, besides notes on physiog- 

 raphy of the islands, soils, vegetation, etc., summaries and discussions relating to 

 temperature, aqueous vapor, and atmospheric movements, including surface winds, 

 higher air currents, and extraordinary air currents (baguios, or cyclones, and 

 thunderstorms). 



"While the temperature, as indicated by the thermometer at the sea level, is 

 practically the same throughout the entire area of the archipelago, the topographical 

 features of the different islands, and the longitudinal direction of the mountains and 

 hills with reference to the prevailing winds, have a marked effect on the amount of 

 rainfall as well as on the duration of the rainy season. Therefore, while in provinces 

 like Rizal, Batangas, Tayabas, and Bulacan there is a rainy season and a dry season, 

 whose limits can be fairly well denned, there are other provinces, like Albay, Samar, 

 and Surigao, where it usually rains at short intervals throughout the entire year, and 

 where, as a consequence, the climate is more especially adapted to the cultivation of 

 certain important crops than in other provinces. 



"The prevalence of typhoons, or, as they are called in the Philippines, ' baguios,' 

 during the summer months, frequently with disastrous results to the shipping, has 

 always been the cause of much apprehension to the ownersof vessels and to shippers, 

 but with the establishment of the meteorological department of the Manila observa- 

 tory in 1865, and the systematic study of these storms, wdiich was commenced by 

 Father Faura, S. J., at that time, and carried on in later years by Father Algue, S. J., 

 the laws governing their origin and movement have been so fully established that 

 their progress, duration, and intensity can now lie predicted with great accuracy, and 

 timely notice of their approach be given wherever there is a telegraph station. . . . 



