64 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



Heteroschetna prima n. g. and n. sp. and Hahrocytus similliinus n. sp., both from 

 Agromyza gibsoni at Tempe, Ariz. ; and Eutelus mayetiolce n. sp., from the Hes- 

 sian fly at Salinas, Cal. 



The rice worm (Tylenchus angustus) and its control, E. J. BuTiJSt (Mem. 

 Dept. Agr. India, Bot. Ser., 10 (1919), No. 1, pp. 37, pis. 2, figs. S).— This reports 

 further studies (E. S. R., 30, p. 540) of the life history and habits of T. angustus, 

 a nematode which causes the " ufra " disease of rice in the great rice-growing 

 deltic tract at the head of the Bay of Bengal, means for its control, etc. 



Some significant structural modifications in Nearctic termites, T. E. Snydeb 

 (Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., 21 (1919), No. 5, pp. 97-10-',, pi. 1). 



FOODS— HUMAN NUTEITION. 



Experiments on the digestibility of wheat bran in a diet without wheat 

 flour. A, D. Holmes (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 751 (1919), pp. i8).— In connection 

 with studies of grains for food purposes, supplementing earlier work (E. S. R., 

 17, p. 481), the digestibility of coarse (unground) and finely ground wheat bran 

 was dete-rmined, with healthy young men as subjects. The bran was fed in 

 each case in the form of a simple bread and the remainder of the diet consLsted 

 of potatoes, fruit, butter, and sugar — that is, foods which supplied little besides 

 fat and carbohydrate. 



The results indicate that of the protein supplied by the fine bran 44.7 per 

 cent and of the bran carbohydrate 56.6 per cent was digested, while the results 

 of the tests with coarse bran indicate a digestibility of 28 per cent for the bran 

 protein and 55.5 per cent for the bran carbohydrate. 



The coefficients of digestibility of the diet as a whole (37 per cent for protein, 

 88.5 per cent for fat, and 79.8 per cent for carbohydrate, in the series in which 

 fine bran was eaten, and 35.8 per cent for protein, 93.1 per .-;ent for fat, and 82.8 

 per cent for carbohydrate, in the series in which coarse bran was eaten) are 

 lower than those found in other experiments of the Department with a mixed 

 diet. " This indicates the way in which the rough, relatively indigestible bran 

 influenced the digestibility of the entire diet. It is also possible that the bran 

 stimulated peristaltic action to such an extent that the food materials were not 

 as completely absorbed as is normally the case when they pass through the ali- 

 mentary tract without increased peristalsis. 



" In general the amount of feces voided by the subjects during the tests with 

 bran was larger than normal. This condition was noted by all the subjects, 

 regardless as to whether they were of active, athletic, or sedentary habits. 

 Some of the subjects found the bran diets decidedly laxative. Little, if any, 

 difference was noted by the subjects as a whole between the laxative effects of 

 the fine and coarse brans." 



Milling grain sorghums (Katisas Sta. Rpt. 1918, pp. SIf, 35). — In continua- 

 tion of the milling and baking tests with Kafir corn previously noted (E. S. R., 

 40, p. 861), it was found that a rather fine meal could be prepared which made 

 a quite satisfactory substitute for corn meal, although somewhat darker in 

 color and having a characteristic slightly bitter taste. A product corresponding 

 to whole-wheat flour was made by grinding a blend of 35 per cent of Kafir corn 

 and 65 per cent of wheat. It is said that less shortening should be used with 

 Kafir-corn mixtures than with pure wheat. 



How to prepare banana meal (So. African Jour. Indus., 1 (1918), No. 15, 

 pp. 1381, 1382). — A method for the preparation of banana meal described by 

 J. de Verteuil, in the Port of Spain Gazette, of February 7, 1918, is given. 



" Peel and slice the bananas thinly with a nickel or fruit knife. Spread on 

 wooden trays in the sun to dry. When dry crush in an ordinary mill or pound 



