ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 169 



the normal curve does not approximate closely to the binomial. The following 

 rules sjre given for practical work when p is known or assumed: 



" When m is small, say less than 25, the binomial expansion should be directly 

 evaluated. When m is moderately large and p or q not small, say not less than 

 U.l the ordinary method based on the ' normal ' curve can be trusted. If m 

 is moderately large and p or q less than 0.1, a skew cui've of Type III should 

 be fitted from the momental constants of the binomial and the areas between 

 assigned ordinates estimated with the help of quadrature formulas." 



New contributions to the knowledge of domesticated animals of ancient 

 Crete, C. Keller (Vrtljschr. NaUirf. Gesell. Zurich, 57 (1D12), No. 1-2, pp. 

 282-290). — A brief account of fragments found since an earlier report (E. S. R., 

 26, p. 267). As the domesticated animals in Crete appear to be of the same 

 type as those which existed at a later period in the Swiss pile works, the 

 author suggests that there was a migration of people from the Mediterranean 

 islands to Central Europe. 



Report of the zoonietrical studies made in 1912 at live-stock exhibits in 

 Paris, Rouen, and Poitiers, Voitkllier (BuI. Mens. Off. Renseig. Agr. {Parisl, 

 12 (1913), No. 1, pp. Ji^-63). — This reports measurements of cattle and sheep 

 of difl'ereut breeds and ages, also of Poitou asses. The relative value and meas- 

 urements of each are discussed. 



[Progress in live-stock breeding'], F. P. Matthews et al. (Live Stock Jour. 

 Almanac [London], 1913, pp. 121-20G). — A series of articles by different authors, 

 showing the general situation of the live-stock industry and in particular the 

 conditions of the important British breeds in 1912. 



The discussion of aniiual nutrition at Dundee, E. J. Russell (Sci. Prog. 

 Twentieth Cent., 7 (1913), No. 21, pp. 413-436). — A report of a discussion of 

 present-day problems in animal hutrition at the agricultural section of the 

 British Association for the Advancement of Science, 1912. Abstracts are re- 

 ported of the following papers; 



The verdict of the hiiUock, W. Bruce (pp. 415-420). — This paper contains a 

 report of expei'iments in feeding cotton cakes to sheep and bullocks, from which 

 it appeared that composition and energy value did not entirely account for the 

 results obtained. 



The discrepancy between the results actually obtained and those expected 

 from chemical analysis, F. G. Hopkins (pp. 420-123). — The author pointed out 

 that our teaching concerning nutrition is too dogmatic and needs revision; also 

 that the isodynamic law of Rubner holds within certain limits only as carbo- 

 hydrates and fats are not physiologically equivalent. 



Active constituents of grain, L. Hill (pp. 423, 424). — This discusses the neces- 

 sity of taking into account the chemical nature of certain active substances 

 acquired in small amounts. 



An explanation of beri^beri, C. Funk (pp. 424, 425). — A brief reitert of the 

 author's work on vitamin, a pyrimidin base analogous to thyaiin, which the 

 author has isolated from rice polish, yeast, milk, and bran. It acted as a cura- 

 tive when administered to pigeons suffering from beri-beri. 



More difficulties from the practical side, D. Wilson (pp. 425-428). — The 

 author gives illustrations of the large error which occurs when feeding tests 

 are based on the average coefficient of digestibility of feeding stuffs, and em- 

 phasizes the fact that the primary object of research on feeding values in Great 

 Britain has not been to inform practical feeders how to construct their rations 

 but how to increase the feeding quality of the home-grown feeds which form the 

 main part of the rations. 



Certain oil foods, Hendrick (pp. 428^30). — A report of a feeding test with 

 calves. The lot fed on whole milk to the time of weaning made faster gains 



