920 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



every case but one, and that where the peat extract was inoculated with the juice 

 from the above-ground parts of the plant, there was an increase in the amount of 

 nitrogen present, although in all the experiments with the peat it was very slight. 

 The experiments seem to show that the assimilation of nitrogen on the part of bac- 

 teria is dependent u])on the organic nutrients offered the plant. 



The North American species of Spartina, E. D. ^Ierrill ( U. S. Bept. Agr., 

 Bureau of Plant. Industry Bui. 9, pp. 16). — This is a technical paper based on North 

 American material of the genus Spartina. The various species of Spartina occur in 

 saline soils along the coast throughout tropical and temperate regions. Two species 

 are found in alkali soils of the interior. One species is known to thrive in soils free 

 from alkaline or saline properties. In the present paper 9 species are recognized as 

 growing in North Amerit-a, one of which and one variety are described as new. 



Inventory of foreign seeds and plants, No. 9, E. A. Bessev ( U. S. Dcpt. Agr., 

 Bureau of Plant Industry Bid. 3, pp. 79). — This gives a catalogue of the seeds and 

 plants received during the spring and summer of 1900, and represents the collections 

 of the agricultural explorers of this Department and foreign countries, as well as 

 receipts from various other sources. The numbers of the inventory are from 4351 to 

 5500. Brief descriptive notes are given of most of the importations. 



A collection of economic and other fungi prepared for distribution, Flora 

 W. Patterson ( U. S. Di'pt. Agr., Bureau of Plant Industry Bnh S, }>p. 31). — A list is 

 given of species of fungi which are available for distribution to the various State agri- 

 cultural experiment stations. The different State experiment stations are invited to 

 compile their desiderata and select from the list 50 specimens, which will be for- 

 warded upon request. This exchange is desired not only as a benefit to the stations, 

 but also as a means for securing interesting material for this Department. 



Poisonous and edible mushrooms, H. Garman {Kentucky Sta. Bui. 96, pp. 21.5- 

 222, pis. 16) . — A description is given of mushrooms in general, the different parts 

 being defined, and a brief synopsis is given for the recognition of some of the edible 

 species. A description is given of Lepiota morgani, one of the most common poison- 

 ous mushrooms occurring in Kentucky; and attention is called to a number of other 

 poisonous species. The common edible mushroom {Agaricus campestris) is described 

 at some length. 



BACTERIOLOGY. 



Enzyms and their application, I, J. Effront, translated by S. C. Prescott 

 {Neir York: .lohn Wiley li- Sons, 1902, pp. IV-\-324). — This work is a summary of a 

 course of lectures delivered at the Institute of Fermentations of the University of 

 Brussels, and is designed not only for those whose interest in the subject is mainly 

 one of scientific study, but also for those who are concerned solely in the application 

 of fermentations to varioiis industries. The work as a whole will consist of two 

 volumes. The present volume treats of the enzyms of carbohydrates and of oxidases, 

 while the second will treat of the proteolytic enzyms and toxins. The author has 

 personally verified most of the experimental data given in tliis volume, and consid- 

 erable hitherto unpublished information is included relative to experiments, analyses, 

 methods of preparation, and technical processes. After discussing the general prop- 

 erties and action of diastases, several are given special consideration, chapters being 

 devoted to sucrase, amylase and its industrial uses, maltase, panary fermentation, 

 various other enzyms of carbohydrates, ferments of glycerids and glucosids, zymase, 

 and oxidases. The translator has sought to reproduce the author's ideas and form 

 of expression without sacrificing clearness and simplicity, and seems to have been 

 unusually successful. To students and others in this country who are interested in 

 enzyms and their uses, this work will prove highly valuable. For those desiring to 

 pursue the subject further than the discussions given in the book, extensive lists of 

 literature are appended to the various chapters. 



