METEOROLOGY. 921 



The fermentation of tea leaves, ('. R. Newton {Indian f,'<mL and Plant., 9 

 {1901), Nox. 24, t>i>. 41S-420; 25, pp. 437, 438).— A study in given of the chemistry 

 and physioldiry of the tea leaf, and tlie function of cnzynis in its fermentation. 



Contribution to the bacterial flora of the Sydney water supply, I, R. G. 

 Smith { Ext r. from Proc. Linn. Soc. Xcw South Ila/e.f, 25 {19i)0), pi. 3, jip. 436-462). — 

 An account is given of a bacteriological study made of the water supply of Sydney, 

 New South Wales. The methods of study are given at some length and 30 species, 

 some f'f which are new, are described. 



Contribution to the bacterial flora of the Sydney water supply, II, R. G. 

 Smith {Extr. from Proc Linn. Soc. New South llrtiZ&s, 25 {1900), pi. 4, pp. 740-759). — 

 The author describes various methods for the separation and recognition of a num- 

 ber of pathogenic bacteria. 



A process for inoculating the earth with soil bacteria, F. B.wer ct Co. {Bl. 

 Zuckerritbenhan, 1901, p. 217: (ih>(. in Jour. Soc Chem. Ind., 21 {1902), No. 3, p. 179). 



Concerning- oligonitrophilous microbes, 31. AV. Bei.ierinck {Centbl. Bali. u. 

 Par., 2. Alt., 7 {1901), No. 16, pp. 561-582, pi. 1; Proc Sec Sci. Koninkl. Akad. 

 Wctensdi. Amsterdam, 3 {1901), pp. 586-595). — Under this name the author proposes 

 to group those organisms which while occurring freely in nature develop in nutrient 

 media containing combined nitrogen or from which combined nitrogen is not carefully 

 excluded. These organisms doubtless have the ability of assimilating and utilizing 

 free atmospheric nitrogen. Two classes are recognized, one of which by virtue of 

 chromophyll is able to utilize the carbon dioxid of the air, the second group being 

 colorless must have carbohydrates supplied them in the nutrient media. A num- 

 ber of plants belonging to the Cyanophyce* are described as belonging to the first 

 group, and of bacteria as representatives of the second. 



A bacteriological investigation of the roots and. seeds of sulla, K. H. Nicolai 

 {Inaug. Diss., Erlangen, 1900, pp. 34; abs. in Centbl. Bakt. u. Par., 2. Abt., 7 {1901), No. 

 8, p. 801) . — A study is reported of the bacteria found in the roots of sulla, Hedysarum 

 coronarium, apart from those existing in the root tubercles which are concerned with 

 nitrogen assimilation. These different classes of bacteria can be readily distinguished 

 by means of stains and from their action upon different culture media. They were 

 not found present in the seeds, but were of frecjuent observation in the roots in which 

 access had lieen gained from the soil through the root hairs of the plants. 



The cleavage of butter fat by micro-organisms, O. Laxa {Arch. Hi/g., 41 

 {1901), No. 2, pp. 119-151). 



METEOROLOGY. 



Loss of life in the United States by lightning, A. J. IIenrv ( U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Weatlier Bxrecm Bid. 30, ]>]>. 21, ph. 4)- — This is in part a revision of Bulletins 15 and 

 26 of the Bureau (E. S. R., 8, p. 34; 11, p. 322), bringing the data down to the end 

 of 1900. The purpose of the bulletin is "to furnish accurate information as to the 

 destruction of human life annually by lightning; to point out the regions where the 

 greatest loss of life occurs; and, so far as practicable, to call attention to the few 

 simple precautions against danger that may be exercised by the individual. ... In 

 the I'nited States, thunderstorms occur with con.siderable frequency overall of the 

 territory east of the one hundredth meridian, save a narrow strip along tlie northern 

 border. West of the above-named meridian, except in the Rocky Mountain region, 

 the frequency steadily diminishes, reaching practically zero along the innnetliate 

 Pacific coast. There are three regions of maximum thunderstorm fre(|uency, viz, 

 one in the southeast, with its crest over Florida, one in the Middle Mississippi 

 Valley, and one in the Middle Missouri Valley. The average number of days 

 annually with thunderstorms in the first-named region is 45; in the second, 35, and 

 in the last .30. . . . From 700 to 800 lives are lost each year liy lightning stroke. . . . 

 The greatest number of fatal cases . . . occurred in the Middle Atlantic States, and 



