19161 ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 167 



the birds could be completely cured and maintained in a normal condition for 

 at least 35 days on this same diet by the addition of the water extract of a 

 foodstuff (rolled oats) on which rats can not grow without the addition of 

 butter fat. Other confirmatory evidence is the success obtained in inducing: 

 relief from polyneuritis in birds by treatment with lipoid-free water extract 

 of wlieat embryo and with such substances as cabbage or potato juice, both of 

 whicli are practically free from lipoids. 



Researches on deficiency diseases. — Experimental beri-beri produced by 

 exclusive feeding' of either decorticated or sterilized barley, E. Weill and G. 

 MouRiQUAND (Compt. Rend. Soc. Biol. [Paris], 78 (1915), No. 19, pp. 6J,9-651).— 

 Experimental beri-beri was produced in pigeons by feeding either decorticated 

 or sterilized barley. 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



Text-book of animal production, G. Pusch, edited by J. Hansen (Lehrbuch 

 der AUgemcinen Tierzucht. Stuttgart: Ferdinand Enke, 1915, 3. ed., rev. and 

 cnl., pp. XXII-\-5.'t7, figs. 222). — This is the third edition of this work, revised 

 and enlarged (E. S. R., 26, p. 573). 



The behavior of the accessory chromosomes and of the chromatoid body in 

 the spermatogenesis of the rabbit, L. J. Bachhubeu {Biol. Bui. Mar. Biol. Lab. 

 Woods Hole, 30 (1916), No. 4, pp. 294-310, pis. 3).— The author finds from his 

 studies with rabbits that the number of chromosomes in the spermatogonium 

 is probably twenty-two. The number in the primary spermatocytes is placed 

 at twelve and in the secondary spermatocytes at eleven. Two accessory ele- 

 ments, an X and a Y, are present, one-half of the spermatozoa containing the 

 X and the other half the Y element. A chromatoid body is present, but its 

 function was undetermined. It underwent no division and was finally cast off 

 with the excess cytoplasm in the metamorphosing spermatid. 



Improvement and management of native pastures in the West, .J. T. 

 Jakdine (U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1915, pp. 299-310, pis. ^).— The author 

 reviews the work of the Forest Service in improving the native pasture lands 

 on the National Forests and gives suggestions for improving and managing 

 native pastures, based on the principle of the " deferred " system of grazing, 

 previously referred to (E. S. R., 32, p. 227). 



The rate of liberation of hydrocyanic acid from commercial kinds of lin- 

 seed, S. H. Collins and H. Blair (Chem. News, 111 (1915), No. 2876, pp. 19, 

 20). — Analyses of a large number of samples of flaxseed show that seeds of 

 oriental origin and from dry, hot climates are all high in total hydrocyanic 

 acid and rich in enzymic activity. The result of changing seed from dry, hot 

 climates to damp and cool conditions is to reduce the amount of hydrocyanic 

 acid evolved by 20±3 per cent and the rate of evolution by 24±5 per cent. 

 Thus it appears that seed grown in temperate climates is a safer cattle feed 

 than that from hotter climates. There is a tendency for seeds originated in 

 temperate climates to give the best yield per acre and to contain the least 

 proportions of cyanogenetic glucosids. 



Seaweed as a supplementary feeding material, E. Beckman (Sitzber. K. 

 Preuss. Akad. Wiss., 1915, XL, p. 645; abs. in Hyg. Rundsehau. 26 (1916), No. 3, 

 p. 85). — An analysis of seaweed is given as follows: Protein from 5 to 6 per 

 cent ; fat from 0.9 to 2.2 ; starch from 8.4 to 13.9 ; crude fiber from 5.4 to 6.4 ; 

 ash from 18.3 to 23.4 ; and potassium chlorid from 2.5 t(* 6.3 per cent. The 

 material is found desirable as a supplementary feed for poultry, growing swine 

 f^nd horses. 



