70 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECOED. 



changes in the mineral content of the body and the food would bring about 

 changes in the noi-mal relation of the oxidative processes of carbohydrates 

 and fat. 



Experiments which were made with a dog weighing 18 kg. and extending 

 over 6 months showed that while there were variations in the different tests 

 they were neither large nor uniform enough to predicate a specific effect on the 

 combustion processes in the animal body and the extent of such processes 

 ascribable to the specific action of one or the other of the metal ions under 

 consideration. In the different periods, sodium chlorld, meat ash, potassium 

 chlorid, calcium chlorld, and magnesium chlorid, were given and the respiratory 

 quotient studied. 



The details are reported in full. 



On the averag'e composition of the alveolar air and its variations during 

 the respiratory cycle, A. Kkogh and J. Lindhakd {Jour. Physiol., -J7 {191Jt), 

 No. 6, pp. J^31-JiJf5, figs. 7). — ^A new method is described for determining the 

 average composition and the variations in composition of alveolar air talking 

 place during an expiration. A discussion of the accuracy of the method in its 

 practical application is included. 



Respiratory exchange in dry and humid atmospheres with and without 

 ventilation, E. Socok {Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. [Paris], 76 {19U), No. 19, pp. 

 873-875; ahs. in ZeritU. Biochem. u. Biophys., 17. (1914). No. 11-12, p. 415). — 

 Metabolism experiments with tubercular laboratory animals (guinea pigs) 

 showed a decreased output of carbon dioxid when the animals were maintained 

 in a warm, humid, imventilated atmosi^here. Ventilation increased the carbon 

 dioxid production. 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



Utilization [of prickly pear] as fodder for stock, T. H. Johnston and H. 

 Tryon (Rpt. Prii-ldij Pear Travel. Com., Queensland, 1912-1914, pp. 35-37, 52, 

 53, 89, 113, pi. 1). — A review of the work of experiment stations in South 

 Africa, southern Europe, Mexico, and Australia on the feeding value of prickly 

 pear. 



It appears that cattle, horses, goats, hogs, and ostriches can be maintained 

 on a ration of pear and can thrive on it if supplemented by grain or alfalfa. 

 It is said that unless care be exercised, purging of animals frequently occurs. 

 Also the small sioines from the fruit penetrate the tongue and jaws and give 

 rise to inflammation, which may extend even to the stomach and cause death. 

 It is stated that the attempt to ensile prickly pear has not been satisfactory, 

 although it is thought better results could be obtained if the fruit was mixed 

 with alfalfa, hay, or oat chaff. 



Analyses are given for both the fresh and the dried fruit of six different 

 varieties of the pear. 



Chemical composition of weeds as feed and fertilizer material, M. Kling 

 (Landw. Vers. Stat., 85 {1914), No. 6, pp. 433-470) .—Analyses are given of 

 Convolvulus arvensis, Chenopoditini album, Stcllaria media, Cirsium arvense, 

 Sonchus oleraceus, and Mercurialis annua, together with a brief discussion of 

 their feeding value. 



Manufacture of fodder from waste sulphite-cellulose lyes, J. Konig 

 {French Patent 469,768, March 19, 1914; ahs. in Jour. Soc. Cheni. Indus., 34 

 {1915), No. 1, p. .^7). — "Waste sulphite lye is mixed with the residual liquid 

 obtained in the treatment of wood with dilute alkalis and acids, with the aid of 

 heat and pressure, and the mixture is evaporated, neutralized, and freed from 

 sulphurous acid; the product can be used as a cattle feed. The sulphite lyes 

 may be submitted to a preliminaxy treatment with acid or alkali, which enables 



