576 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



" Growth is supposed to cause division only when it affects the volume of the 

 cytoplasm more than that of the nucleus. The ratio of the cytoplasm to the 

 nucleus in the egg may be considered sufficient for a number of successive 

 divisions, or the ' true ' cytoplasm may grow at the expense of the yolk after 

 each division." 



Surface tension in relation to cellular process, II, A. B. Macallum (Science 

 n. set:, 32 (.1910), No. 82.',, pp. 492-502) .—In a further discussion (E. S. R., 23. 

 p. 377) of the forces which influence cellular metabolism the following working 

 hypothesis is proposed : " That in the secreting or excreting cell lower surface 

 tension exists at its secreting or excreting surface than at any point on the cell 

 surface." 



[Growth of engrafted tissues], C. C. Guthrie (Science, n. set:, 30 (1909), 

 No. Ill, pp. 124, 725; Jour. Evpt. Med., 12 (1910), No. 3, pp. 26.9-211; pis. 2; 

 Proc. Soc. Expt. Biol, and Med., 1 (1909), No. 2, p. 43). — A continuation of 

 earlier work (E. S. R., 21, p. 372) 



Fetuses and fragments of reproductive and other tissues of chickens and 

 guinea pigs were engrafted in various ways. When engrafted in favorable 

 situations both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal ovarian and testicular tissues 

 made a good growth in chickens. The results of exchanges of such tissue 

 between the sexes, as well as between different species, were negative. The 

 simple method of transplanting is recommended whenever possible, but it is 

 believed that in larger and older animals successful results will perhaps be 

 more certain after transplantation with anastomosis of the blood vessels than 

 after the simpler transplantation. 



Heredity in connection with cancer, L. CuifeNOT and L. Merciee (Compt. 

 Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris] 150 (1910). No. 22, pp. 1443-1446; abs. in Jour. Roy. 

 Micros. Soc. {London], 1910, No. 6^ p. 105). — The susceptibility of mice to cancer 

 grafting was found to be inherited, though not in Mendelian fashion. " Some 

 families show a large percentage of susceptibility, some a small percentage. 

 The progeny of 2 cancerous parents in a ' poor line ' are more likely to exhibit 

 tumors than the progeny of 2 refractory parents in a ' rich line.' " 



Contribution to the knowledg'e of polydactylism and syndactylism in 

 man and domesticated animals, M. Cramer (Bcifrdge zur Kenntnis dcr Poly- 

 dakli/lic iiiid Sj/ndakh/Uc bcini Menschen und cinigcn Hausiieren. Inaug. Diss., 

 Univ. Bern. 1910, pp. 40; AbJiandl. E. Leopold. Carolin. Dent. Akad. Naturf., 

 93 (1910), No. 1-4, pp. 40, pis. 6; «&s. in Zenthl. Allg. u. Expt. Biol, 1 (1910), 

 No. 11-12, pp. 4"3, 4'^'k)- — A discussion of a large amount of data which the 

 author has collected relating to the extra digits in man, horses, antelopes, sheep, 

 goats, swine, dogs, cats, and poultry. 



Parthenogenesis in birds, A. Lecaillon (Arch. Anat. Micros., 12 (1910), No. 

 4, T>P' 511-638, pis. 4)- — A more detailed account is given of work previously 

 noted (E. S. R., 23, p. 571), together with additional data on the histology of 

 the unfertilized egg of birds when fresh laid and during segmentation without 

 fertilization, which the author considers as rudimentary, natural partheno- 

 genesis. It is stated that adverse results, as stated by other observers, were due 

 to poor material and faulty methods. 



A bibliography is appended. 



A double hen's egg, J. T. Patterson (Amer. Nat., 45 (1911), No. 529, pp. 

 54-59, figs. 4). — A description of an egg within an egg, evidently a product of a 

 normal ovary and of abnormal activity in the oviduct. It is of interest as 

 throwing light on the physiology of ovulation of birds. 



Appiirently the egg was carried back up the oviduct twice. The first anti- 

 peristalsis took place immediately after the hard-shelled egg was formed, and 



