METEOROLOGY. 509 



has not found its way into general use in plant physiological laboratories on 

 account of its great cost. 



"In addition to its simplicity and increased sensitiveness, the apparatus is 

 much less fragile and very much easier to clean than the old one. As its only 

 drawback must be mentioned the fact that there is no provision made for absorp- 

 tion of the carbon dioxid produced. Until the carbon dioxid production in the 

 oxidation of the various oxidase reagents has been determined, the apparatus 

 will furnish only comparative results." 



See also other notes (E. S. R., 28, p. 314; 29. p. 550). 



A proposed new standard loop for use in bacteriological tests of disin- 

 fectants, A. D. St. John (Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chcm., 6 (1914), No. 11, 

 p. O.'iO, fig. 1). — A description of a cube-shaped loop devisetl for the purpose 

 of eliminating some of the errors and difficulties encountered in the present 

 methods of determining the antiseptic power of disinfectants. 



Home canning, F. E. Miller {Virginia Truck Sta. Bui. 12 (1914), pp. 219- 

 297, figs. 5). — This deals with methods of canning, especially those practiced 

 in the home canning plant of the Virginia Truck Station. The bulletin is well 

 illustrated, and gives explicit directions for canning, especially vegetables. A 

 list of canning terms, with definitions thereof, is also given. 



Fruit preserving: Canning, bottling, jam. making, and candying peel, W. J. 

 Allen {Dcpt. Agr. N. 8. Wales, Farmers' Bui. 8S {191-'i), pp. 26, figs. 21).— 

 This pamphlet contains directions for carrying out this work in the home and 

 on a small scale. The outfits required for both canning and bottling are 

 described in full and illustrated. Hints are also given on the selection and 

 preparation of the fruit. 



Manufacture of textile fibers from Epilobium angustifolium, K. Schu- 

 mann ((Jcnnan Patent 269,350, Jan. 6, 1912; ahs. in Chem. Ztg., 38 (1914), No. 

 IJf, Report., p. 66). — By proper fertilization of this plant a higher growth and 

 better elasticity of the .seed hairs are obtained. The seed hairs are then made 

 rough with steam and spun. 



METEOROLOGY. 



Suggested changes and extension of the United States Weather Bureau 

 service in California, G. S. Binckley and C. H. Lee {Proc. Amcr. Soe. Civ. 

 Engin., J,l {1915), No. 2, pp. 2^9-258, fig. l).—lt is pointed out that the present 

 weather service in California is not adequate for gathering the mountain climatic 

 data necessary to furnish a basis for the forecast of future stream-flow varia- 

 tion. It is, therefore, suggested that xiiore and better equipped stations be 

 established in the most productive mountain drainage areas, under men espe- 

 cially fitted to make and interpret observations bearing upon the relation of 

 precipitation to stream flow. Among the suggested studies having this purpose 

 in view are the following: 



"(1) Annual snow surveys in the drainage areas of Sierra Nevada streams, 

 (2) snow movement subsequent to precipitation, (3) the relation of tempera- 

 ture, forest trees, drifting, etc., to snow melting, (4) the detailed relation 

 between topography and precipitation, (5) water evaporation from lakes or res- 

 ervoirs, (6) evaporation from snow, (7) establish, maintain, and observe snow 

 and rain gages at isolated points which can be reached only at long Intervals, 

 (8) any other investigations of practical value in the solution of the water 

 supply and flood protection problems of the State." 



A study of the influence of volcanic dust veils on climatic variations, H. 

 Arctowski (Seiencc, n. ser., /,1 {1915), No. 1050, pp. 252-255). — Reviewing 

 especially the effects of volcanic eruptions of 1SS3 (Krakatoa), 1902 (La 



