1018 expeeimeKt station record. 



in water cultures. The ammonium salts exercised a similar action when used in 

 strengths of 1:2,000. Potassium salts tended to retanl symbiosis when used in 

 strengtlis of 1 : 200, and sodium salts, 1 : 300, acted similarly. On the other hand, cal- 

 ciuni and magnesium salts greatly favored the production of root tubercles. Phos- 

 phoric acid, although <juite variable, depending on the base used, in the main exercised 

 a stinudating effect. The action of the nitrates seems to be the production of an 

 osmotic state which is prejudicial to the entrance of the organism causing root tubercles. 



The formation of bacteroids in artificial media, A. Stutzer ( Centhl. Bald. u. 

 Par., 2. Ahf., 7 [I'Ml), Xo. 25, pp. 597- '>i./) .—Studies are reported on the bacteroids 

 of peas, alsike clover, red clover, crimson clover, horse beans, vetches, garden beans, 

 lupines, serradella, and soy beans. The organisms as influenced by growth in a 

 number of artificial media are described. 



Tlie assim^ilation of free elementary nitrogen, E. Jacobitz ( Centhl. Bakt. n. 

 Par., 2. AM., 7 {1901), Nm. 22, pp. 784-794; ^3, pp. 833-844; U, pp. 876-890).— A 

 critical review is given of some of the more important literature relating to the assimi- 

 lation of atmospheric nitrogen, and a liibliography of 11.3 pu1)lictations is included. 



The nitrogenous constituents of green leaves, E. Wintersteix [Ber. Deut. 

 Bot. GeHelL, 19 {1901), Xo. 5, j)p. .iJG-.l^O). 



Investigations on the fixation of carbon by leaves and the diffusion of car- 

 bon dioxid, H. T. Brown {Ann. Agron., 27 {1901), Xn. 9, pp. 428-439 ) .—Th'ii* is a 

 translation by E. Demoussy of a presidential address delivered l)efore the British 

 Association for the Advancement of Science (E. S. R., 11, p. 1015). 



The presence of a glucosid formed during the germination of beech seed, 

 P. Tailleur {f'ompl. Rend. Acad. Sei. Paris, 132 {1901), Xo. 20, pp. 1235-1237) .—Dur- 

 ing the process of germination of beech seed a glucosid is formed which is said to 

 disappear with the first season's growth. It is localized in the hypocotyl and is 

 present to a slight extent in the upper part of the root, but is not found in the coty- 

 ledons nor does it occur in the stems or leaves. This glucosid acted upon by the 

 diastase of the seed in the presence of water gives rise to methyl-salicylic ether and 

 glucose, which is assimilated by the plant. This ether is identical with that pro- 

 duced by wintergreen and which has also been found produced under the same con- 

 ditions as described above in the roots of Polygola and Spiraea, in the petioles and 

 leaves of certain species of Azalea, in the bark of black birch, and other plants. 



A physiological balance, A. Petermann {Bid. InM. Chhn. et Bad. Gemhloux, 

 1901, Xo-. 70, pp. 22, 23, pi. 1). — A form of balance is described which was devi.sed 

 by Gregaire and Hendrick, ])y the use of which a constant state of humidity may be 

 secnreil throughout the growing jieriod of a plant. 



The genera of Gastromycetes, C. G. Lloyd {Cincinnati: Author, 1902, pp. 24, 

 pis. 10). — The author pre.sents a general classification of the genera of Gastromycetes. 

 An introduction is given in which the various parts of the fungi are described and 

 the life history is traced. A brief historical sketch is given of the group, followed 

 by the classification in which about 22 genera are recognized. 



Monilia sitophila, an economic fungus of Java, F. A. F. C. Went {Centhl. 

 Bali. u. Par., 2. Abt., 7 {1901), Xos. 15, pp. 544-550; 16, pp. 591-598, pi. 1; Proc. Sec. 

 Sci. Koninhl. Akad. WetenscJi. Amsterdam, 3 {1901), pj). 489-502). — A description is 

 given of "ontjom," a small cake said to be quite common in "West Java. It is made 

 from peanuts and is of an orange color, due to the conidia of tlie fungus M. sitopliila. 

 The fungus seems to exert a very active influence through enzyms secreted by it 

 upon the material of which the cake is made. The morphology of the fungus is 

 described at length and the various changes induced by it are traced. A study was 

 made on the influence of nutrition on the secretion of enzyms by this fungus. The 

 fungus thrives well on such media as peanuts, bread, carrots, milk, broth, potatoes, 

 etc. The growth on the various media shows that albuminous substances and pep- 

 tone can serve as sources of carbon and nitrogen. For the production of the 



