728 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 





The infiuence of iron in the development of barley and the nature of its* 

 action, J. Wolff {Gompt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris'], 151 (1913), No. 21, pp. 

 1022-1024). — In experiments briefly noted, neither chromium nor nickel was 

 able to replace the iron constituent in the nutritive medium. 



The catalytic action of iron in the development of barley, J. Wolff 

 {Gompt. Rend. Acad. Sci. IPaiHs], 157 (1913), No. 25, pp. Uie-U18).—ln con- 

 tinuance of the studies above reported, the author found that v^hile the addi- 

 tion of iron in the form of ferrocyanid or citrate increased the weight of the 

 plant it did not increase in the same degree the amount of iron in the plant. 

 The iron is thought, when present in appropriate concentration, to act as a 

 catalyzer. 



Influence of the salts common in alkali soils upon the growth of rice plant, 

 V, K. MiYAKE {Bot. Mag. [Tokyo'], 28 (1914), No. 325, pp. i-//).— Continuing 

 work previously noted (E. S. R.. 30, p. 630) the author tested barium and stron- 

 tium for indications of favorable action similar to that of calcium in neutraliz- 

 ing the toxicity of other metallic ions. It was found that the injurious effect 

 of the metallic ions tested (magnesium and sodium in solutions of their 

 chlorids) upon the growth of rice seedlings is perfectly counteracted only by 

 calcium, strontium retarding only in a slight degree their toxic effect, and 

 barium appearing actually depressive in its effect in this connection. 



The antitoxic action of chloral hydrate upon copper sulphate for Pisum 

 sativum, R. P. Hibcakd {GentU. Bakt. [etc.], 2. AM., 38 {1913), No. 13-18, pp. 

 302-308, fig. 1; a'bs. in Jour. Ghem. Soc. [London], 104 (1913), No. 613, I, p. 

 1284). — During the summer of 1912 the author conducted experiments to learn 

 what relation exists between two poisonous substances when one is a known 

 narcotic. In these experiments copper sulphate and chloral hydrate were used 

 in varying concentrations, and the effect on garden peas, as shown in the length 

 of the roots, was determined. 



Observations were made at the end of 24 and 48 hours, and the curves 

 showed that poor growth took place in solutions where the single substances 

 were used except at the lowest dilutions, v\^hile a noticeably better growth was 

 obtained where the two substances were combined. The antitoxic action of the 

 combined solutions was especially noticeable where the amounts of the different 

 solutions were nearly equal. 



A number of theories are proposed to explain the antagonistic action de- 

 scribed above. These involve effects produced within the solution itself, in the 

 plasma membrane, or within the cell, or possibly there may be a combination 

 of all these effects. Another theory proposed to account for the action is that 

 in the particular case studied the action of chloral hydrate in antagonizing 

 copper sulphate might come about through the anticatalytic action of the organic 

 substance. 



The influence of etherization on certain enzymatic activities of bulbs and 

 tubers, M. M. McCool {A1)S. in Science, n. ser., 39 {1914), No. 998, p. 261).— 

 Experiments were reported on the relative activity of diastases, oxidases, and 

 catalase in etherized and natural bulbs and tubers. The activity in the enzyms 

 in the material from the two sources was found to differ materially. Diastatic 

 action was greater in the etherized tissues and this was also true for the action 

 of oxidases and peroxidases. Catalase activity, however, was found to be di- 

 minished by etherization. 



A preliminary report on the isolation and identification of the enzyms 

 of Fucus vesiculosus, B. M. Duggar and A. R. Davis {AJ)s. in Science, n. ser., 

 39 {1914), ^'0. 998, p. 260). — It is stated that peculiarities in the carbohydrate 

 and nitrogen metabolism of the Fucaceae have made desirable a determination 



