28 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. [Vol. 35 



of leaf surface multiplied by the length of the average pore in the various 

 species studied. 



It is thought probable, therefore, that the amount of transpiration is not 

 governed entirely by stomatal regulation, and that the variations in the amount 

 of water loss in different species can not be accounted for by the size and num- 

 ber of stomata, but may be explained perhaps by a complex of several factors. 

 A short bibliography is appended. 



The utilization by plants of acids and bases from difEerent nitrates, B. M. 

 Aknoldi (Iz RezuVt. Voget. Opytov Lab. Rabot (Rec. Trav. Lab. Agron.), 9 

 {1912), pp. JfOl-IiSO) .—It is stated that nitric acid is taken up from its salts 

 more rapidly than are the bases potassium, sodium, calcium, or ammonium. 

 The energy of absorption varies, however, with the different metals. Nitrates 

 were in part utilized in darkness by the plant. 



The influence of alkaline reactions shown by solutions after repeated use, 

 M. A. Starodubowa {Iz RezuVt. Vcget. Opytov Lab. Rabot (Rec. Trav. Lab. 

 Agron.), 9 (1913), pp. 392-Ji06). — It was found, contrary to expectation, that in 

 case of oat and wheat plantlets permitted to sprout and grow for not over 

 two weeks in a 0.2 per cent solution of sodium nitrate, the seedlings showed 

 some actual increase of vigor in spite of the increased alkalinity until the 

 eighth successive series had been grown in the medium. This, it is thought, 

 may indicate that the supposed excretion of harmful substances from such 

 sprouting plants does not begin in these plants before they are two weeks old. 

 Toxicity of galactose for certain of the higher plants, L. Knudson {Ann. 

 Missouri Bot. Gard., 2 {1915), No. 4, pp. 659-666, pi. 1). — Experiments with 

 vetch liaving shown marked injury following the use of galactose in a nutrient 

 medium, tests were made on other leguminous plants to determine whether 

 or not the effect of the galactose is consistent. 



It was found that, while other sugars acted beneficially, galactose showed 

 an injurious action on Vicia villosa and Pisum sativum. It does not appear to 

 be toxic to fungi, since several of these were found growing in cultures which 

 had become contaminated therewith. The character of the injury and the 

 method of action by galactose have not yet been determined. It apparently 

 kills the cells with which it comes in contact. Glucose appears to neutralize 

 the toxicity of galactose in some way not yet understood. 



Fumigation experiments to determine the effect of highly diluted sulphur 

 dioxid on a grov/ing grain crop, A. E. Wells {U. 8. Dept. Int., Bur. Mines 

 But. 9S {1915), pp. 213-307, pis. 13, fig. i).— This is the author's report to the 

 Selby Smelter Commission. 



The tests were carried out with barley in actual cultivation, an impi'oved 

 method of sulphur dioxid gas delivery being employed which reproduced, as 

 regards maintenance of uniformity, actual outside conditions as nearly as 

 IKtssihle. It is stated that, next to concentration of sulphur dioxid, duration 

 of exposure thereto is the chief element in the causation of injury, and that 

 the effects oC the time factor are not materially altered when the applications 

 are made at intervals, provided these are short. The humidity of the atmos- 

 lihere is also a strong determinative factor, exceeding in importance tempera- 

 ture changes and the influence of sunlight and shade. 



A preliminary account of a new oedanometer for measuring the expansive 

 force of single seeds, or similar small bodies, when wetted, .1. B. Butler and 

 J. M. SiiKiiiDAN {Hci. I'roc. Roy. Dublin Soa, n. ser., I4 {1915), No. 35, pp. 462- 

 480, figs. 4)- — It is claimed for this device that it measures the force rather 

 than the volume of the swelling. The several forms arc designed to measure 

 pressures ihie to the swelliiig of single seeds as well as of quantities sullicient 

 to fill considerable space. 



