776 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



phatic gland, kidneys, and liver of the different classes of animals examined con- 

 tained a proteolytic enzym which was most active in an acid solution. The skeletal 

 muscles also contained a proteolytic enzym, but it is relatively less active and its 

 action was practically the same in alkaline, acid, and neutral solutions. An enzym 

 found in the muscles of the heart was similar in action to that as present in the 

 organs enumerated above. 



Studies of muscle heat, M. Blix {Skand. Arch. Physiol., 12 {1901), No. 1-2, pp. 

 52-128, jjIk. 3). — Experimental methods are described and an extended series of 

 investigations reported and discussed. 



Concerning a hitherto unknown reducing body in blood, P. Mayer {Zischr. 

 Physiol. Chcm.,32 {1901), No. 6, pp. 518-530). — According to the author's investiga- 

 tions, glycuronic acid united with some other body is a normal constituent of beef 

 blood. 



Feeding experiments with molasses and ground peat, O. Kellnee, 0. Zahn, 

 and H. von Gillern {Landw. Vers. Stat., 55 {1901), No. 4-5, pp. -?79-55^).— Experi- 

 ments were made with 2 sheep on the digestibility of molasses, fed with and without 

 the addition of ground peat. In both cases the basal ration consisted of meadow hay, 

 and the digestibility of this feeding stuff alone was studied. The special object was 

 to determine the influence of ground peat on the digestibility of the molasses. The 

 average results follow: 



Digestibility of molasses and molasses feeds — Average oftivo sheep. 



1,000 gm. meadow hay 



850 gm. meadow hay, 250 gm. peat meal 



and 100 gm. molasses 



800 gm. meadow hay and 100 gm. molas 



ses 



Calculated for molasses alone 



Organic 

 matter. 



Per cent. 

 6-4.8 



49.5 



65.9 

 77.5 



Per cevt. 

 59.7 



58.1 

 49.0 



Fat. 



Per cent. 

 54.8 



44.8 

 53.5 



Nitrogen- 

 free 

 extract. 



Per cent. 

 68.7 



71.3 

 87.9 



Crude 

 fiber. 



Per cent. 

 60.5 



43.8 

 59.0 



Pento- 

 sans. 



Per cent. 

 64.9 



51.4 

 62.0 



The authors conclude that not only is the ground peat itself indigestible, but it 

 diminishes the feeding value of the other materials, since it increases the amount of 

 nutrients excreted in the feces. 



The Angora goat, G. F. Thompson ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bxd. 137, pp. 47, 

 figs. 7). — A popular edition of a publication previously noted (E. S. R., 12, p. 1077). 



Poultry division, A. A. Brigham {Rhode Island Sta. Rpt. 1901, pp. 297-333, 

 pis. 6) . — Brief statements are made concerning the work of the station poultry 

 division. The work included brooding experiments with incubator chickens (see 

 p. 793), a study of poultry diseases (see p. 793), determinations (by Martha Austin) 

 of the amount of carbon dioxid in the air of incubators, breeding experiments with 

 Belgian hares resulting in the jiroduction of a black strain, and other investigations, 

 which are reported elsewhere in detail. 



The determinations of carbon dioxid are not regarded as sufficient for drawing 

 definite conclusions as to the influence of the amount on the hatching of eggs. The 

 object of the investigation was to learn why so large proportion of chickens expire on 

 the nineteenth or twentieth day of incubation when the embryonic growth is nearly 

 or quite complete. 



Preservation of eggs (pp. 304-323).—- The value was tested as a preservative for eggs 

 of water glass, dry table salt, limewater and salt brine, vaseline, ashes, gypsum, 

 powdered sulphur, powdered sulphur and sulphur fumes, permanganate of potash, 

 salicylic acid and salt brine. Some of the eggs used were fertile, others infertile. 

 The general deductions drawn from the investigations follow: 



"Of the different methods tested in this series of experiments the old way of 



