728 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



these yeasts. The same products are attacked by the hydrolyzlng diastases of 

 the yeasts, which yield diastases as opposed to inulids. Yeasts attacking sac- 

 charose also attack inulids. Yeasts not attacking sucrase attack neither inulids 

 nor saccharose. 



Wound periderm in certain cacti, M. W. Coutant (Bui. Torrey Bot. Club, 

 45 (1918), No. 9, pp. 353-364, pi. 1, figs. 3). — A study is described of the results 

 at different stages after wounding Opuntia vesicolor and 0. discata, considered 

 as typical of the cactus flora near Tucson, Ariz. It is stated that the best 

 analogy to the natural cork-building process is obtained as the result of wound- 

 ing. The essential facts here noted are the lignification of the old outer cor- 

 tical cells, the production of both thin-walled and thick-walled cells by the 

 activity of the wound phellogen, and the formation of the second interior meris- 

 tematic layer forming the new vascular bundles near the wound sun. 



The biological significance of false witches' brooms in ericaceous plants, 

 J. Dufrenoy (Jour. Wash. Acad. Sci., 8 (1918), No. 15, pp. 527-532).— Recording 

 biological data in the study of false witches' brooms in Arcachon, France, <<:i 

 leaves of 1'accinium myrtillus and Arbutus uncdo infected by Glocosporiuni, the 

 author concludes that false witches' brooms should not be interpreted :is sym- 

 biotic organs. Their power of assimilation is low or Inhibited, their life is 

 shorter than that of healthy plants, and such morphological variations as are 

 noticeable are neither very marked nor progressive. 



Hybrid sunflowers, T. D. A. Cockereix (Nature [London], 102 (1918). Vo. 

 2550, pp. 25, 26). — Crosses made at Boulder, Colo., between varieties of HeK- 

 anthus annuus give fertile plants in case of certain crosses, others showing a 

 marked deticiency of pollen. The annual species of Holianthus are fertile 

 among themselves, their hybrids nearly sterile. //. annuus has been crossed 

 with //. argophyUtu, II. petiolaris, and II. cttcwnerifolius. The rate crossings 

 of the annual species with the perennial give offspring closely resembling one 

 or the other of the parents. 



The evolution of maize, P. Weatherwax (Bui. Torrey Bot. Club, !,5 (1918), 

 No. 8, pp. 309-342, figs. 36). — The results of a study of maize and some of its 

 relatives are said to show that, considering the vestigial organs, Zea, Euchlama, 

 and Tripsacum are practically Identical in structural plan, the presenl a 

 of each being due to the suppression of some parts which were present in a 

 primitive ancestor having perfect flowers borne in one type of Inflorescence 

 The ear is the homologue of the central spike of the tassel. The view that 

 maize is of hybrid origin is considered as having little real support and as not 

 being in harmony with tlfe significant facts of morphology. It is considered 

 probable that Zea, Euchlama, and Tripsacum have descended independently 

 from a common ancestral form now extinct. 



Chenopodium nuttallise, a food plant of the Aztecs, W. E. S afford (Jour. 

 Wash. Acad. Sci., 8 (1918), No. 15, pp. 521-327, figs. 3).— A description is given 

 of C. nuttaUice n. sp., a plant used as a vegetable by the Aztecs. 



FIELD CROPS. 



[Report of field crops work in Alabama], E. F. Catjthen, M. J. Ftncttf.ss, 

 and W. A. Gardner (Alabama Col. Sta. Rpt. 1918, pp. 16-22).— This briefly notes 

 results of variety testing with oats, wheat, barley, and rye; a test of fall v. 

 spring planting of oats; and fertilizer experiments with corn and cotton. The 

 development of soluble manganese in acid soils and observations on the presence 

 and destruction of certain so-called organic toxins in the soil are also noted. 



Experiments at Substation No. 3. Angleton. Tex., 1909-1916. N. E. 

 Winters (Texas Sta. Bui. 229 (191S), pp. 7-J8, pi. 1, figs. 9).— This bulletin 



