852 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the fungus symbiont a direct relationship is established between the clinging vine 

 and its living support. The fungus seems to he truly parasitic on the supporting 

 host, and as it grows more readily upon some trees than others the superiority of 

 some species over others as supports for peppers, vanilla, etc., is explained. 



Symbiosis between fungi and bacteria, E. Zederbauer (SUzber. K. Akad. 

 Wiss. [Vienna], Math. Naturw. Kl., 112 {1908), No. 4-7, pp. 447-482, pis. 2).— 

 According to the author the order .Myxobacteriacea-, established and named by 

 Thaxter, is not a definite plant group, but a biological association similar to that 

 recognized in lichens. The Myxobacteriacea?, according to his investigations, are 

 the results of the symbiotic association of species of fungi and bacteria. This con- 

 clusion is arrived at as a result of a study of many of the forms and by the experi- 

 mental evidence furnished from the cultivation of two of the recognized forms in 

 which the symbiotic relationship was demonstrated. 



The author separates a number of the so-called species into their components, and 

 most of them are described as new species. 



Seed and Plant Introduction, Inventory No. 10, D. (i. Fairchild ( U. <S'. 

 Dept. Agr., Hunan of Plant Industry Bui. 66, pp. 338). — This inventory of seeds and 

 plants imported by the Department for experimental purposes covers the period 

 from September, 1900, to December, 1903, and includes nearly 4,400 accession num- 

 bers. The most of the material represented in the list was secured by the writer, 

 but in addition large collections were obtained by a number of the Department 

 agricultural explorers and others. In addition to listing the different accessions, in 

 many instances descriptive notes are giveri on the different varieties. 



ZOOLOGY. 



The biological and economic significance of the coloration of domestic 

 animals, L. Adametz {Oesterr. Molk. Ztg., 11 (1004), Nos. 17, pp. ,.'34-137; 18, ]>p. 

 249-251; 19, pp. 263-265; 20, pp. 275-278; 21, pp. 289-291; 22, pp. 303-30,',; .../, pp. 

 317-320; 24, pp. 332-334). — The author discusses the supposed origin of coloration of 

 animals and the effect of domestication upon these colors. Notes are presented on 

 melanism, flavism, stripes and spots as observed in domestic animals, albinism, leu- 

 cism, the effect of inbreeding upon coloration, the role of coloration in modern 

 breeding and related topics. 



As a result of the author's study of this problem it is concluded that the color of 

 domesticated animals is correlated with their resisting power, with the character of 

 their tissues, and especially with their ability to take care of themselves. It is 

 argued that if the connection between the constitution of domesticated animals and 

 the pigmentation of the skin and hair should be shown, more attention must be 

 given in the future to a study of body color. 



The mammals of Great Britain and Ireland, J. (i. Millais (London: Long- 

 mans, GreenjSc <'o., 1904, <'ol. 1, pp. XX ■ 365, pis. 87). — The purpose of the present 

 volume is to deal in as exhaustive a manner as possible with the mammals which at 

 present inhabit Great Britain and Ireland, together with brief notes on prehistoric 

 species. The mammals belonging to this region are classified in a systematic man- 

 ner, excellent illustrations are given in color and in black and white, and detailed 

 accounts are presented of the life history, habits, and economic relations of all species 

 discussed. In this volume attention is given to the cheiroptera, insectivora, and 

 carnivora. 



The hamster in Belgium from 1899 to 1904, P. Derwa ( Hul. Agr. [Brussels], 

 20 (1904), No. 5, pp. 945-961). — The author gives a description of the hamster and 

 presents notes on the distribution of this animal 111 various parts of Europe. Its 

 habits are also briefly described. Various methods have been tested in destroying 



