574 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



phosphates and phytates. Traces of mineral acids were found in the steep 

 water, but they were present in such small quantities that they need not be 

 considered as imparting any deleterious properties to the feed. 



Concerning- the knowledge of the dig-estion of cellulose, H. von Hoesslin 

 (Ztschr. Bioh, 54 (1910), No. 7-9, pp. 395-398). — In 2 experiments the per- 

 centage of cellulose fed to dogs which was recovered in the feces was 99.7 and 

 94.5, respectively, showing that the cellulose was practically undigested. 



The decomposition of cellulose in the cecum of the horse, H. von Hoesslin 

 and E. J. Lesser (Ztschr. Biol., 5// (1910). No. 2-3, pp. Jil-53; abs. in Zeulhl. 

 Physiol., 2Jt (1910), No. 16, p. 760).— The experiments of the authors led to the 

 same results as those obtained by Scheunert (E. S. R, 22, p. 474). The decom- 

 position of cellulose in the cecum of the horse was ascribed to micro-organisms 

 and not to enzyms. 



General physiology, M. Verworn (Allgemeine Physiologic. Jena, 1909, 5. ed., 

 ■rev., pp. XVI+7.'i2, figs. 319). — A new edition of this standard worlv on the 

 fundamental principles which underlie plant and animal life, which has been 

 so revised as to include recent investigations in physical and biological chem- 

 istry which have an important bearing on biology. 



The science of life, J. A. Thomson (London, [1910], pp. X+2.'i6). — An outline 

 of the history of investigations in physiology, embryology, heredity, paheontology, 

 and related topics in order to " illustrate the growth of biology fi'om an em- 

 bryonic state of insignificance to a position which is central among the sciences, 

 and full of influence even on the art of life." 



History of biolog-ical theories, B. Radl (Geschichte der Biologischcn Tltco- 

 rien. Leipsic, 1905, pt. 1, pp. VII-\-320; 1909, pt. 2, pp. Z+604).— An extensive 

 historical summary of investigations and theories relating to cell structure, 

 physiology, embryology, evolution, heredity, and allied topics. Part 1 covers 

 the period from Aristotle to Erasmus Darwin and part 2 is confined to theories 

 and discoveries of the nineteenth century. 



Biologists are urged to pay more attention to historical studies because the 

 true significance of results of investigations is more easily understood if cor- 

 related with previous researches. Throughout the work there are numerous 

 references to the literature on the subject. 



Text-book of embryology of man and vertebrates, O. Hertwig (Lehrbtich 

 der Entwicldungsgcschichte des Menschen und der Wirbeltiere. Jena, 1910, 9. 

 ed., rev. and enl., pp. XVI+786., figs. 669). — To this new and revised edition of 

 a well-known work has been added an introduction of 56 pages, which gives a 

 resume of the history of the investigations in embryology. The main body of 

 the work consists of 2 parts, the first part being devoted to the developing 

 organism as a whole and the second part to the development of the individual 

 organs of the vertebrate body. A valuable feature is the bibliography which is 

 appended to each chapter, making a total list of about 1.500 references. 



The evolution and function of living purposive matter, N. C. Macnamara 

 (Neto York, 1910, pp. XI +298, figs. 20).— The first part of this book treats of 

 the fundamental principles of living organisms, with special reference to the 

 influence of heredity and environment in modifying the characteristics of suc- 

 ceeding generations. The second part outlines the history of a tribe of men, 

 this being intended to demonstrate the importance of heredity. 



The methods and scope of genetics, W. Bateson (Inaug. Lecture, Univ. 

 Cambridge, 190S, pp. 49). — An outline of inquiries into the physiology of hered- 

 ity and variation, the study now spoken of as genetics. 



Some practical aspects of the science of breeding, K. J. J. Mackenzie 

 (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 17 (1910), No. 9, pp. 705-716, dgms. 6).— The desira- 



