1916] * AGBICULTUEAJL BOTANY. 435 



Concerning the relation of etiolated shoots of maize and lupine to am- 

 monium srJts and nitrates, D. N, Pkianishnikov (Iz RezuVt. Veget. Opytov 

 Lab. Rabot (Rec. Trav. Lab. Agron.), 9 {1913), pp. 559-565). — This is a brief 

 account of some unpublished experiments conducted at the Moscow Agricultural 

 Institute of Russia by the late S. I. Kalinldn. 



These experiments show that ammonium salts as well as nitrates serve as a 

 source of nitrogen in etiolated maize plants. However, more nitrogen is ab- 

 sorbed from ammonium salts than Irom nitrates, and, as regards the latter, 

 calcium nitrate appears to be a better source of nitrogen than sodium nitrate. 

 With lupines, ammonium chlorid caused a loss of nitrogen, a lower asparagin 

 content, and a higher ammonium content. Nitrates did not bring about so 

 great an absorption of nitrogen or formation of proteins in lupines as in maize. 



Stereochemistry and the biological action of ammonium compounds, F. 

 Plate (Atti R. Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 23 (1914), 

 II, No. 7, pp. 292-296) .—The author thinks that the diverse action of the chlorid 

 and the nitrate of ammonia, as shown by the behavior of plants in nutritive 

 solutions, is due to differences in the stereochemistry of these compounds, which 

 are discussed. 



The action of ammonium compounds on Avena sativa, F. Plate (Atti R. 

 Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 24 (1915), I, No. 2, pp. 146- 

 148). — The author takes occasion to point out and correct certain typographical 

 errors said to have passed undetected in the contribution above noted and to 

 indicate the methods employed in the further study of this subject as now in 

 progress. 



The direct assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by plants, Eva Mameli 

 and G. Pollacci (Atti R. Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. 

 ser., 24 (1915), I, No. 9, pp. 966-971). — This is mainly a discussion of reports 

 and views of the authors (E. S. R., 25, p. 633; 31, p. 223) and of others noting 

 some probable causes of error or insufficiency in work on this subject. 



The question of absorption and utilization of chlorids by plants, A. S. 

 Kablukov (Iz RezuVt. Veget. Opytov Lab. Rabot (Rec. Trav. Lab. Agron.), 9 

 (1913), pp. 551-558). — In these experiments lupine and barley seedlings were 

 transferred to solutions of magnesium, calcium, ammonium, and potassium 

 chlorids. The anion was absorbed in a much larger amount than the cation 

 only in the case of barley grown with sodium chlorid. In all the remaining 

 cases the absorption of the anions and cations was practically equivalent. 



Magnesium in chlorotic or discolored plants, Eva Mameli (Atti R. Accad. 

 lAncei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 24 (1915), I, No. 3, pp. 262- 

 267). — Comparative analysis is said to show a smaller percentage of magnesium 

 in chlorotic or discolored leaves or leaf parts than in normal portions of the 

 same plant. Willstatter's studies in this connection, previously noted by the 

 author (E. S. R., 29, p. 323), are again discussed. 



The influence of phosphorus and magnesium on chlorophyll formation, 

 Eva Mameli (Atti R. Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 24 

 (1915), I, No. 7, pp. 755-760). — This is largely a review of the work and views 

 of various Investigators on this subject as bearing upon the work of the author, 

 noted above or set forth in the present report, which is made on studies carried 

 out with Zea mays and Polygonum fagopyrum in a nutritive solution lacking 

 magnesium. The plants were etiolated or pale green and the chloroplasts were 

 abnormal in form as well as in color, while plants similarly treated but de- 

 prived of phosphorus were normal in these respects. 



The influence of the pyrrolic acid nucleus on the formation of chloro- 

 phyll. C PoTXAooT an'^ B. Onno (Atti R. Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. 

 e Nat., 5. ser., 24 (1915), II, No. 1, pp. 37-39).— It is stated that in case of 



