ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 267 



the same order, or are not exactly of the same kind as those which form the 

 sperm cells before removal of the sex gland." 



It is suggested that further experiments should be made to confirm these 

 conclusions and to determine other relations existing in the reproductive sys- 

 tem of the fowl. 



The segregation of fecundity factors in Drosophila, E. N. Wentworth 

 (Jour. Genetics, S (1013), No. 2, pp. 113-120).— With a view to studying the 

 effects of inbreeding upon fecundity and general vigor, the author conducted 

 breeding experiments with flies. Four lines of breeding were started. " The 

 largest and most vigorous males were mated with the largest and most vigorous 

 females, the rather weak and small flies were mated together, and 2 lines of 

 medium type, 1 based on size and the other on apparent vigor were also es- 

 tablished." 



After 9 generations, the breeding record of line 1 (a line lacking In vigor 

 and high fecundity) presented a mean of 29.5 and a standard of variation of 

 7.31; line 2 (strongly vigorous), mean 135.86 and standard deviation 18.3; and 

 line 3 (medium in size) and line 4 (medium in vigor), mean 72.06 and standard 

 deviation 37.1618. From this the author concludes that ** a segregation of 

 fecundity factors is clearly evidenced and the supposed weaknesses from in- 

 breeding are shown up in their true light as the mere segregation of factors for 

 lower vigor." 



It was further observed that " the male, whether he come from high or low 

 lines, apparently in nowise influences the eggs laid by the female with whom 

 he pairs, though marked differences, apparently due to segregation, may occur 

 among his female descendants." The reciprocal crossing of strains high and 

 low in fecundity, instead of resulting in 3 single groups, which might have 

 been expected from previous calculations, showed at least 7. No evidence of 

 sex linkage of fecundity factors appeared. 



Determination of sex, E. Tansky (Hoard's Dairyman, 1^6 (1913), No. 15, 

 pp. 420, Jf21). — After an investigation of the 3-year records of over 600 head of 

 cattle, to determine the percentage of males and females born by months, the 

 author concludes that the month of birth favors no special sex. 



Chemical composition of Roumanian and Russian sunflower seed cake, M. 

 G6RSKI (Ztschr. Landw. Versuchsw. Osterr., 16 (1913), No. S, pp. IJ/l-lJfo). — 

 Ck)mparative analyses were made at the experiment station at Dublany, near 

 Lemberg, of 2 varieties of sunflower seed cake, as follows: Roumanian cake, 

 protein 27, fat 12.51, nitrogen-free extract 21.14, crude fiber 24.39, and ash 

 5.64 per cent ; Russian cake, protein 33.01, fat 11.33, nitrogen-free extract 22.59, 

 crude fiber 18.21, and ash 6.21 per cent. 



On Perilla cake and Mowrah meal, F, Honcamp, M. Reich, and H. Zimmer- 

 man (Landw. Vers. Stat., 78 (1912), No. 5-6, pp. 321-3^7, pis. 4).— Analyses of 

 Perilla cake are reported as water 12.3, protein 36.31, fat 7.05, nitrogen-free 

 extract 19.74, crude fiber 16.28, and ash 8.32 per cent. In sheep-feeding experi- 

 ments for a period of 10 days, in which meadow hay and Perilla cake were 

 fed and complete digestibility tests made, it was estimated that the digestible 

 nutrients in Perilla cake were protein 36.02, fat 7.05, nitrogen-free extract 10.96, 

 and crude fiber 1.3 per cent. 



Analyses were also made of 3 grades of Mowrah meal, one of them showing 

 the following composition: Water 14, protein 17.12, fat 2.17, nitrogen-free ex- 

 tract 53.55, crude fiber 5.62, and ash 7.54 per cent. Mowrah meal is used as a 

 filler in feeds for domestic animals, especially molasses feeds and similar prod- 

 ucts. The presence of saponin in Mowrah meal and its resulting toxic effect 

 upon animals being fed the meal is noted. 



