ZOOLOGY. 1055 



plants and the participation in it of the proteolytic ferment, W. 8. Butkyevich 

 (Izv. Moscov. Selsk. Khoz. Inst. [Ann. Inst. Agron. Moscou], JO (1904), No. l,pp. 1-1 /'.'). 



A new sheep poison from Mexico, B. L. Robinson (Bol. Gaz., 38 (1901 I, No. 5, 

 Pl>. .176-378). — The author reports having received specimens of a plant from Zaca- 

 tecas, Mexico, which is reputed as being poisonous to sheep which eat it. An 

 examination of the specimen showed that it belongs to the solanaceous genus 

 Bouchetia, and the name B. arniaiera, n. sp., is given it. 



On account of the reputed poisonous qualities of this plant, the author raises the 

 question as to the possible poisonous qualities of the nearly related species B. erecta, 

 which occurs rather frequently in the grazing regions of some of the Southwestern 

 States. 



International catalogue of scientific literature. M — Botany ( Tnternat. < 'at. 

 Sri. Lit., 2 (1904), pp. VIII + 1114).— This is the second annual issue of the cata- 

 logue of scientific papers that is issued under the auspices of the International Coun- 

 cil by the Royal Society of London. The plan previously described (E. S. R., 14, 

 ]>. 637) has been continued. In the present volume about 7,000 titles of botanical 

 and related works, mostly published in 1901 and 1902, are given. There is a com- 

 mendable increase in references to American publications, although the list is not 

 by any means complete. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Coyotes in their economic relations, I). E. Lantz ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Biological 

 Survey Bui. 20, pp. 28). — Coyotes are said to be increasing in numbers in many parts of 

 the west. The present bulletin is devoted to a consideration of the economic relations 

 of 8 forms or species which have been recognized in the United States. In certain 

 States bounties have been offered and statistics are given regarding the effectiveness 

 of this method. 



Coyotes i>'{-<\ hugely up<m animal material, but occasionally eat cultivated fruits 

 and berries, wild fruits, and other vegetable substances. Coyotes may be considered 

 as beneficial in so far as they destroy rabbits, prairie dogs, woodchucks, gophers, 

 Tats, and other injurious animals, They are harmful, however, in so far as they 

 destroy game birds and mammals and farm animals. The usual means of destruction 

 including poisoning, trapping, hunting, etc., are briefly mentioned. 



Observations made on fencing against coyotes indicate that this method may prove 

 quite effective in preventing the attacks of coyotes upon farm animals. The meshes 

 should be not larger than 6 in. square and triangular meshes are to be preferred to 

 square ones. 



The rabbit pest in Australasia, R. II. Hooper (Agr. Economist, 38 (1905), No. 

 421, p. 8). Brief notes are given on the various methods which have been adopted 

 by the governments of New South Wales and New Zealand in combating rabbits. 

 The payment of bounties has been found to be a too expensive method. Trapping 

 rabbits is believed to beof but little practical value. The rabbit industry connected 

 with trapping is discouraged on the ground that it is not of great importance and 

 interferes with more legitimate farm industries. 



Heredity of coat characters in guinea pigs and rabbits, W. E. Castle (Car- 

 negie Inst. Washington, Pub. 23, }>p. 78, pis. 6, Jigs. 8). — In the course of experiments 

 reported in this paper about 3,000 guinea pigs and several hundred rabbits were 

 reared for the purpose of studying the inheritance of color and color patterns. 



According to the author 3 pairs of alternative coat characters conforming in their 

 inheritance to the requirements of Mendel's law may be recognized in guinea pigs; 

 these are albinism, smooth coat, and long coat. The 3 pairs of characters appear to 

 be in correlation. In rabbits 2 pairs of alternative coat characters are recognized, 

 viz, albinism and long coat. Distinction is made between recessive and latent char- 



