g50 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



found growing at elevations of more tlian 1,000 meters. Nearly all responses 

 attribute its distribution mainly to birds, and particularly to tbruslies and other 

 migratory birds. 



Nodules on Hevea rubber trees, R. D. Anstead {Planters' Chron., 9 {19U), 

 No. 2, pp. 14, 15)' — This paper contains information compiled from several 

 sources. 



It is said that no connection has been proved between the bark nodules de- 

 scribed as noted on Hevea and attacks by any insect or fungus. The nodules 

 are known to occur before tapping, but they are seen much more frequently 

 afterwards. Overtapping, high elevation, dry weather, and in general, condi- 

 tions that tend to reduce the vitality of the trees are mentioned as factors in 

 the production of burs and nodules. 



Disease of Para rubber trees, W. R. Rutteb {Ann. Rpt. Bot., Forestry and 

 Sci. Dcpt. Uganda, 1913, pp. 5, 6). — A description is given of an attack of 

 Fomes semitostus on Para rubber trees in the garden connected with this in- 

 stitution. The disease is thought to be introduced in the rubber plantations 

 through the ground not being properly cleared of decaying timber and stumps 

 previous to the planting out of the rubber seedlings. 



Dry rot investig-ations, A. Moller {IlausscJiicammfoi'sehungen, Til. Jena, 

 1913, pp. V-{-20). — This contribution by the editor of the series reported by 

 Falck et al. (E. S. R., 2S, pp. 750, 751) gives a systematic summary of the com- 

 mission's findings since the beginning of its work in 1905, regarding the biolog- 

 ical, practical, and legal asi>ects of timber dry rot associated with Merulius 

 lacrymans and related fungi, with references to publications previously issued. 



Dry rot in factory timbers, F. J. Hoxie {Boston, 1913, pp. 34, ftps. 19). — In 

 a report to the Inspection department of the Associated Factoi*y and Mutual 

 Fire Insurance Companies the author gives the results of an investigation of 

 15 or 20 cases involving a study of several thousand beams affected by dry rot. 

 It is claimed that the present supply of timber available for mill construction 

 is subject to danger, the neglect of which is resulting in serious consequences. 

 The author's study was made of hard pine timber such as is used for heavy 

 mill frames. 



The principal injury is caused by the fungi Merulius lacrymans and Coni- 

 opliora cerchcUa, although another si^ecies was sometimes met with. The author 

 found that the percentage of resin in hard pine can be taken as an index of its 

 power of resistance to dry rot. Hard pine timber 12 in. square or larger is 

 practically unobtainable wnth sufiicieut natural resistance to withstand action 

 of fungi in moist atmospheres. The nonresinous, sappy hard pine is said to be 

 not safe for use for the important parts of a building without antiseptic treat- 

 ment Holes through columns, narrow spaces between beams, and hollows be- 

 tween floors and roofs are of no value in preventing dry rot and serve to spread 

 it rapidly to all susceptible material. Heating a new building to 115° F. for 

 24 hours or more several times has been found valuable in preventing serious 

 loss from dry rot. 



Of the various antiseptic treatments in practical use, corrosive sublimate ap- 

 pears to be the best adapted to the treatment of mill timber. Some modifica- 

 tion of the present process is believed necessary when deeper penetration of the 

 antiseptic is required. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



Catalogue of the inam.m.als of western Europe (Europe exclusive of 

 Russia) in the collection of the British Museum, G. S. Miller {London, 1912, 

 pp. XV -^1019, figs. 213; rev. in Science, n. ser., 38 {1913), No. 970', pp. 159^ 



