FOODS HUMAN NUTRITION. 767 



All the samples were found to bo true to name and little or no soluble arseuite 

 was present. It was found that the moisture content in the different samples 

 varied considerably and that in almost all cases the high moisture content was 

 accompanied by a low arsenic acid iicrcentage. 



The use of potassium cyanid as a subterranean insecticide, T. Mamixle 

 (.Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 150 (1910), No. 1, pp. 50-52).— The author 

 states that potassium cyanid, when injected into the ground in an aqueous solu- 

 tion, is decomposed by the acidity of the soil, thus setting free hydrocyanic- 

 acid gas. He recommends that from 6 to 15 injections to the square meter 

 be made, according to the permeability of the soil, each of from 8 to 10 cc. of 

 a solution of potassium cyanid at a strength of 200 gm. per liter of water, or 

 from about I5 to 2 gm. of the salt for each injection and from 15 to 20 gm. per 

 square meter. Injections should be made to a depth of from 10 to 20 cm. 



The use in this way has advantages over carbon disulphid, as growing plants 

 do not suffer from the treatment even when very strong doses are used. Gera- 

 niums attacked by termites and plants in pots of 1 liter capacity are not affected 

 by 10 cc. of a 20 per cent solution of potassium cyanid, although injured by 

 1 gm. doses of carbon disulphid. 



The effects of fumigation with hydrocyanic g'as on the human system, 

 AV. W. YoTHERS (Jour. Eeon.Ent., 3 UDlO), Xo. 3, pp. 311-319). — The experience 

 of workers on the white fly investigations in Florida shows that only rarely 

 does hydrocyanic-acid gas, as used in fumigation, cause sickness. 



Tobacco as an insecticide, J. H. Gourley (Ohio State Hort. Soc. Ann. Rpt., 

 1,2 (1909), pp. 3S--'il).— An address delivered before the Ohio State Horticultural 

 Society at Columbus, in January, 1909. 



The insecticide act of 1910 (Jour. Econ. Ent.. 3 (1910). No. 3, pp. 275- 

 282). — A draft is given of the fedei-al insecticide and fungicide law, previously 

 noted (E. S. R.. 22, p. 699). 



Nursery inspection in Massachusetts, H. T. Fernald (Jour. Econ. Ent., 3 

 (1910), No. 3, pp. 272-275). — An account of this work as conducted in Massa- 

 chusetts. 



FOODS— HUMAN NUTRITION. 



German food book ( Dcufschcs Nahrungsniittelhuch. Heidelberg, 1909, 2. ed., 

 pp. F//+//08). — It is stated that this work, vX'hich is published by the German 

 Association of Food Manufacturers and Dealers, has been quite generally re- 

 vised, and that much new material has been added. The examination and 

 valuation of foods, condiments, and commercial products, and the German laws 

 and regulations which have to do with this industry are the subjects of which 

 the volume treats. 



Foodstuffs, III, W. R. DUNSTAN (Colon. Rpls.. Misc. \<;t. lirit.]. No. 71, pp. 

 200-267). — Statistical and other data are reported regarding a large number of 

 food materials. Special mention may be made of determinations of the ash of 

 oats of different origin, studies of the composition of starch i»repared from the 

 breadfruit tree, banana flour, honey, a sweet fibrous core of the Australian 

 grass tree, samples of Canadian cider, coconut " water," yebb or yeheb nuts 

 (Cordeauria cdulis) from Somaliland, tea, coffee, and cocoa. 



According to the author, considerable interest attaches to the yeheb nuts " on 

 account of their high nutritive value as a food. It is desirable that the cultiva- 

 tion of this plant should be tried in other countries, especially where a foodstuff 

 is needed which can be grown in arid places, as appears to be the case with this 

 plant in Somaliland. . . . 



"In preparing the nuts for use as a food, it is desirable that they should lie 

 soaked in just such a quantity of water as they can absorb, since if more be 



