1920] AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 731 



It is claiinocl tliat tlie tution of ulti'iiviolot rays on carbon dioxid and liyilrojicii 

 in the nascent stato in the prcsoiice of potassium hydroxid dotorniinos a pho- 

 tosyntlicsis. Tlie fornialdeliydc^ thus produced is condensed to sugar under 

 tlic influence of the rays, and carbon dioxid and water vaftor are also com- 

 biuixl to f<n-ni sugar and other carbohydrates. The canes In the second row 

 al)ove nientiouLMl had 30 per cent and those in the third row 38 per cent more 

 sugar than those in the first row. 



Tlie influence of uljraviolet rays in producing sulphuric acid from sulphur 

 dioxid, oxygen, and water is mentioned in connection with suggested possi- 

 bilities. 



Ultraviolet rays with cai-eruily controlled daily exposiire lasting for 40 

 minutes were found to ripen pineapples more completely and satisfactorily than 

 was usual for these fruits. 



Etiolated banana leaves developed in 5 hours a deep green color. Banana 

 leaves and stalks exposed to ultraviolet rays after being cut and kept in water 

 i-emained perfectly fresli for two weeks, at least twice as long as those kept in 

 diffused daylight. This is thouglit to indicate a means of preserving and 

 ripening with improvement bananas for shipment to di-stant points. 



The problem is how to produce and employ practicable apparatus for the 

 application of the shorter ultraviolet rays to sugar cane, pineapple, and banana 

 culture. 



Light and heat radiation as ecological factors, O. Drude (Floni [Jena], 

 n. ser., 11-12 {10 IS), pp. 227-267, figa. 2).— This deals chiefly with the benefleial 

 or injurious effects of solar radiation in relation with plant distribution. 



Some aspects of the plant ecology of certain Kansas sand liills, F. W. 

 E.MERSON {Abs. in Science, n. scr., 52 {1920), No. 1334, PP- S7, SS).— A brief 

 account is given of studies of sand liills along the Arkansas River between 

 Wichita and Hutchinson, Kans. The natural vegetation has held sand wher- 

 ever allowed to remain, but burning, close grazing, and farming have removed 

 the natural vegetation from considerable areas, making them useless and 

 threatening other areas with a cover of blowing sand. The types and charac- 

 teristics of the plants of the region are noted. 



The Chloridejc of Argentina, I>. R. Parodi {Univ. Nac. Buenos Aires, Rev. 

 Facult. Agron. y Vet., 2 {1919), No. 3, pp. 233-335, figs. 25).— This is a record 

 of studies made on living or herbarium plants in Argentina pertaining to the 

 ChloridCiO. About 15 genera and GO species are here listed in connection witli 

 their distril)Ution among the areas here designated as subtropical, gi'eat river, 

 I)ampas, montane, and Patagonian formations. 



Two Russian («yninosporangiunis, J. r]uiKSSON {Afkiv. Hot., 15 {1919), 

 No. 20. pp. 1-23, pis. ■?).— Of two fungi attacking bramhes of Juniperus oxyce- 

 drns, one was, after an investigation, assigned to Gi/iiinospnrangium oxycedri. 

 The second is described as a new si)ecies under the name G. tnuricum. 



The Uredinales of Indiana, [IJ, II, II. S. Jackson {Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 

 1915, pp. 429-Jf75; 1917, pp. 133-137).— The first of the.se articles includes an 

 account of work done and lists previously published by others in connection 

 with Uredinales in Indiana, also Xos. 1-141 of the author's collections. The 

 second article includes Nos. 142-1 "m. 



.Anatomical study of fungus symbiosis in Casuarina equisetifolia with 

 notes on the probh'm of mycori-hi/a, H. Mii:iik (/7o;y/ [Jcnn}. n. scr.. 11-12 

 {191S), pp. JfSl-Jf.'iD, pi. 1, figs. 2). — Observations and deductions are noted In 

 connection with a study of a mycorrhizal fungus associated with C. cijuiseti' 

 folia in the strand flora at points in the East Indies. 



