METEOROLOGY. 787 



Do plants assimilate argon? E. Blass (Nature, 51 (1895), p. 461). — The note by 

 Blass is answered by W. Ramsey, one of tbe discoverers of the new element, that 

 experiments are under way by which the question can be answered. 



Primitive corn {Meehatis Monthly, 5 (1S95), No. 3, p. 44, fig. I). — An account of 

 sexual abnormal ism in an ear of corn — the pistillate and staminate flowers mixed. 



A new method for investigating the carbonic acid gas exchanges of plants, 



F. F. Blackmax (Vroc. Roxj. Soc, 57 (1895), No. 342, pp. 162-164).— \\\ abstract is 

 given briefly describing a form of apparatus designed to measure small quantities 

 of carbonic acid gas given ofi^ by parts of leaves. 



Apparatus for physiological botany, W. C. Stevens (Bot. Gaz., 20 (1S95), No. 

 3, pp. 89-96, ph. 4). — Descriptions are given of a centrifugal machine and three forms 

 of clinostats — <a horizontal, vertical, and universal clinostat. 



Flowers and Insects, XIII, C. Rohkutsox (Boi. Gaz., 20 (1895), No. 3, pp. 104- 

 110). — The author discusses the mutual relationship between the flowers of Dodeca- 

 tJieon meadia, Stcironemaciliatn, and Eiisleniaalbida, andthe insectsfouudtovisitthem. 



Phenological observations in Metz during the years 1891-94, Schafer (Jahrea- 

 her. Ver. Erdkunde in Metz, 16 (1893-'94). 



ZOOLOGY. 



Monographic revision of the pocket gophers, family Geomy- 

 idae, C. H. Merriam ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bicisioii of Ornithology and Mam- 

 7nalogy, JSforth American Fauna, No. 8, pp. 258, Jigs. 71, pis. 20, maps 4). — 

 An illustrated monograpli of the pocket gophers, exdusive of the genus 

 Thomomys, giving detailed technical, anatomical, and systematic de- 

 scriptions of the various species, with notes on habits. It is divided 

 into introduction, and 4 chapters: General remarks; morphologj' of the 

 skull; the dental armature, comprising the teeth and the mechanism 

 and dynamics of the cutting machine; and systematic descriptions of 

 the genera and species. The genera Fappogeomys, Cratogcomys, Platy- 

 geomys, Orthogeomys, Heterogeomys, Macrogeomys, and Zygogeomys, and 

 the following species and subspecies are described as new : Geomys 

 tuza mohilensis, G. hreviceps sagittalis, G. hrericeps atticateri, G. texensis, 



G. arenarius, G. personatus fallax, Fappogeomys alhinasus, Gratogeomys 

 perotensis, G. estor, G. peregrines, G. oreocetes, G. casianops goldmani, G. 

 fulvcscens, Flaty geomys tylorhinus, F. planiceps, Orthogeomys latifrotis, 

 0. nelsoni, Heterogeomys torridus, Macrogeomys dolichocephalus, M. cos- 

 taricensis, and Zygogeomys trichopiis. 



Pocket gophers and moles, C. L. Newman (Arkansas Sta. Bpt. 1894, pp. 108- 

 113).— K reprint from Bulletin 28 of the station (E. S. R., 6, p. 389). 



METEOROLOGY. 



Frost warnings, J. M. Shirier (Froc. Ga. Hort. Soc. 1892, pp. 56- 

 5S). — Brief general note on Georgia weather service and the methods 

 of sending out information as to the approach of frosts. It is recom- 

 mended that 5?mudges be used for protecting plants from early frosts. 

 Piles of slowly inflammable material, such as green pine butts, are to 

 be made and lighted, at least 4 smudge piles being employed for every 

 ICO acres of ground. It is believed the smudge would be dense enough 

 to envelop surrounding vegetation and protect it from frost, as is done 

 successfully on the prairie lands of Minnesota. 



