226 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



to the plant. Similar experiments were conducted with wheat, peas, and buck- 

 wheat, together with another series with maize, in which the radicle after attaining 

 a length of from 1 to 5 cm. was immersed in starch paste. It was found upon ger- 

 mination that a part of the amylase formed in the seed was transferred from the 

 plant by exosmosis, the seeds rejecting it to their advantage. At the same time the 

 starch material was acted upon by the ferment and converted into a form capalile of 

 being utilized by the young plants. This phenomenon occurs only during the proc- 

 ess of germination, older plants being unable to utilize starch through the exosmo- 

 sis of amylase. 



Experim.ents on the question of the formation of albuminoids by plants in 

 darkness, M. Iwanoff [Lanchv. Vers. Stat., 55 {1901), No. 1-2, pp. 78-94)-— -^ 

 brief review is given of some of the literature relating to the formation of proteids 

 bv plants in darkness, and results of the author's experiments with kohl-ral)i, car- 

 rots, and potatoes. These roots and tubers were divided, and analyses made of a 

 portion, the other part being planted in pots and kept in darkness. After an inter- 

 val of 2 or 3 months, analyses were made of the portions planted and it was found 

 that the albuminoids had increased in an apprecialile amount. 



On the influence of various inoculating materials on tubercle formation 

 and yield of leguminous plants, F. Nobbe and L. Hiltner {Landw. Vers. Stat., 

 55 {1901), No. 1-3, pp. 141-148, fig. i).^A report is given of experiments in which 

 various dilutions and concentrations of inoculation material were tested to ascertain 

 the effect of such material upon the development of tubercles upon the roots of legu- 

 minous plants, as well as upon the total product. The experiments covered a number 

 of years. The results c)l)tained showed that there was a comparatively slight differ- 

 ence in the dry matter and nitrogen content of plants which had received the different 

 strengths of inoculating material, the weakest and strongest solutions giving almost 

 identical results. In the experiments the authors employed a normal strength of 

 Nitragin, and it was used in strengths varying from 0.01 normal to 100 times the 

 normal bacterial content. 



Physiological and anatomical investigations of the cuscutas, 31. Mirande 

 {Extr. Bui. Sri. France et Belg., 35 {1900), pp. 384, pis. 16). 



A. guide to botanical investigations and vegetable physiological experi- 

 ments, F. ScuLEicHERT {Anleitwig zu botanlschen Beobachtungen unci pflanzenphysiolo- 

 cjischen Experimenten. Langensalza : Hermann Beyer & Sons, 1901,- pp. Till + 182, 

 figs. 64). 



Iiist of publications of the Division of Botany, F. V. Coville ( U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Division of Botany Circ. 30, pp. 10). — A classified list of the publications of the Divi- 

 sion of Botany from its establishment in 1869 to date is given. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Birds useful to agriculture, E. H. Forbush {Massachusetts State Bd. Agr. Rpt. 

 1900, pp. 36-61, pis. 4). — The author discusses the various ways in which birds are 

 beneficial to the farmer. The subjects considered include the use of guano and 

 special notes on the feeding habits of hawks, owls, cuckoos, woodpeckers, goat- 

 suckers, flycatchers, crows, blackbirds, sparrow's, swallows, wrens, creepers, and 

 warblers. 



Birds as protectors of woodlands, E. H. Forbush {Massachusetts State Bd. Agr. 

 Rpt. 1900, pp. 300-321, figs. 3). — A discussion is given of the feeding habits of birds 

 with special reference to their beneficial action in destroying caterpillars and other 

 insects which are injurious to trees. Lists are given of the birds which feed on the 

 gypsy moth, brown tail moth, forest tent caterpillar, apple-tree tent caterpillar, can- 

 kerworms, white-marked tussock moth, INIay beetles, and plant lice. Observations 

 are given on the birds which are especially useful in the destruction of the eggs of 



