264 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



" In the semispayed series the compensatory growth of the remaining ovary 

 is almost perfect as it attains nearly twice its normal size. In the semi- 

 castrated the remaining testis showed an increase of 14 per cent, but this may 

 be solely in the interstitial tissue. The isolated ovaries survived and grew as 

 if they had been connected with the uterus. In the case of isolation of the 

 ovary followed by semispaying the remaining isolated ovary hypertrophies in 

 the same manner as that of the semispayed rat. The ligation of the spermatic 

 cord may cause a complete atrophy of the testes and alterations of somatic char- 

 acters similar to those in castrated rats. No definite conclusions could be 

 drawn in reference to the thyroid gland, which is very variable in weight. 



" In castrates the suprarenals show an increase, in spayed rats a decrease. 

 AVhen the spermatic cords are ligatured (and the testis absorbed) the supra- 

 renals show reactions similar to those following castration. The thymus in- 

 creases to about twice its size after gonadectomy. It seems not only to delay 

 its normal involutionary process but actually to increase in weight. The 

 weight of the hypophysis is increased on the average by 50 per cent after re- 

 moval of the testis or after ligature of the spermatic cord (and absorption of 

 the testis). On the other hand, spaying produced only a slight increase (about 

 8 per cent on the average). 



"After removal of the sex giands and compensatory growth of the hypophysis, 

 there is no overgrowth of the body or obesity. But these responses appear when 

 the enlargement of the hypophysis does not occur — in the spayed rats, for ex- 

 ample. In the semispayed and semicastrated, neither enlargement of the hypo- 

 physis nor obesity occurs, for the enlargement of the remaining gonad enables 

 it to furnish the normal amount of gonadin. The total removal of the gonads 

 tends to increase the resemblance between the two sexes, or it may be said that 

 gonadectomy favors the production of the secondary sex characters of the oppo- 

 site sex." 



A bibliography of literature cited is given. 



On the presence of interstitial cells in the chicken's testis, T. B. Reeves 

 (Anat. Rec, 9 {1915), No. 5, pp. 3S3-3S6, figs. ^).— The author calls attention to 

 Alice M. Boring's conclusion (E. S. R., 27, p. 869) that there are no interstitial 

 cells present at any time in the testes of chickens from one day to 12 months 

 old, and to the work of .7. des Cilleuls (E. S. R.. 28, p. 668), who found inter- 

 stitial cells from the thirteenth day onward. The author examined the testes 

 from cocks 5*, 9, and 18 months old, and found interstitial cells in all the stages 

 examined. 



A fossil ruminant from Rock Creek, Texas; Preptoceras mayfieldi n. sp., 

 E. L.Troxell (Amer.Jour. ScL, ^.ser.,JtO (1915), No. 239, pp. 419-JfS2, figs. 3).— 

 A description of a skull of ruminant found among fossil remains in Texas. 



" The skull resembles somewhat that of the ox, especially in the general form 

 and position of the horns, which come out in the plane of The face, tending up- 

 ward, then downward and forward. At first it was taken to be the skull of a 

 sheep, but it is found to be very different. It is about one-half larger than a 

 .skull of Oris rockymontanus and the horns, which are not so large, do not curve 

 backward nor are they set close together." 



The Central-German red cattle breed, .1. Schmidt (Arh. Dent. Gcscll. Ztich- 

 tungsk., No. 19 {191.'f), pp. 112, pis. 14). — An account of the breed characteris- 

 tics, utility value, and distribution of the Central-Gorman red cattle, together 

 with measurements and comparisons with other breeds. 



■Shorthora conditions in Argentina, F. W. Harding {Breeder's Gaz., 68 

 {1915), No. 13, pp. 49Jf, Jf96). — The principal exposition of Argentina is held 

 annually during August at Palermo. This year approximately 1,200 i>e<ligreetl 

 Shorthorns were on exhibition. It is said that in quality the winners were oqwnl 



