134 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A preliminary note on the action of the radiations froni radium bromid on 

 some organisms, II. II. Dixon ami J. T. Wigham (Sci. Proe. Roy. Dublin Soc, it. 

 ser., 10 I 1904), TI, No. 19, pp. 178-192, pis. S).—A report is given of the behavior of 

 seedlings of Lepidium sativum, specimens of Volvox globator, and a number of bacteria 

 toward radium bromid. Experiments were planned to find out whether, the radia- 

 tions would act as a stimulus to growth curvatures, or if they would exerl a directive 

 action on the growth of the motile organism. At the same time abnormal and patho- 

 logical effects were looked for. 



One hundred seeds of L. sativum were evenly distributed over a surface of moist 

 quartz sand, and after germination had taken place a glass tube containing 5 mg. of 

 radium bromid was set over the central ^t'vd at a distance of 1 cm. from it. At the 

 end of a few days the seedlings had grown up around the tube, but no curvatures 

 were apparent. The seedlings within 1 cm. radius were slightly smaller than the 

 others, but the difference was not very pronounced, nor did the plants appear in any 

 way abnormal. At the end of 10 days the difference in height was more noticeable, 

 and when the radium tube was removed and the seedlings exposed to daylight the 

 central plants remained behind the others in point of growth for several days, dur- 

 ing which they were kept under observation. 



In a second experiment seeds similarly treated showed, :! days after germination, a 

 slight retardation of growth. At this time it was noticed that the number of root 

 hairs of the retarded seedlings was considerably inferior to that of the others, but 

 otherwise the retarded individuals seemed healthy. 



A third lot of seedlings were tested in which dry seeds were distributed over moist 

 sand and the radium tube supported at a distance of 0.5 cm. from the seed and the 

 germination observed. As before, a slight retardation was noted, but no injury could 

 be discovered. 



Experiments conducted with Volvox showed that after 24 hours no special arrange- 

 ment of the colonies could be observed, and they were neither attracted nor repelled 

 by the radium tube. 



In the case of the experiments with the bacteria the organisms were found to be 

 inhibited in their development and in some cases were perhaps killed. To determine 

 whether the organisms were actually killed or merely arrested in their development, 

 inoculations were made from the apparently sterile patches and in almost every case 

 the development showed that the organisms were not killed, but the action was only 

 inhibitory. It is probable that the radiations caused a change in the medium which 

 was responsible for the failure of development of the organisms. 



ZOOLOGY. 



The economic value of the bobwhite, S. D. Judd ( U. S. Dipt. Ayr. Yearbook 

 1903, pp. Pi'1-.'o'f, pi. 1). — Notes are given on the distribution, habits, and economic 

 importance of this bird. The quail is considered as of importance in destroying 

 weed seeds and insects and in furnishing food and sport. 



A study was made of 801 stomach contents of quails, collected every month of the 

 year in 21 States, Canada, and the District of Columbia. An examination of tin- 

 food showed that 14.!).'! per cent was animal matter and 85.07 vegetable. Seeds form 

 50.78 per cent of the food for the year. The majority of this seed is from weeds of 

 which 60 species are represented. The author estimates that in the State of Virginia 

 quails destroy 573 tons of weed seeds annually. Grain forms only about ) of the 

 food, while large numbers of potato beetles, cucumber beetles, chinch bugs, and 

 other injurious insects are eaten. 



Brief notes are given on the means of protecting this bird, and a detailed list is 

 presented of the seeds, fruits, insects, etc., eaten by the quail. 



Importation of game birds and eggs for propagation, T. S. Palmer and 

 II. Oldys (U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 197, pp. SO, fig. J). — Since the passage of 



