BOTANY. 553 



color being in the opinion of the author merely a coincidence. The conclusion is 

 reached that " the color change must be primarily due to a change of constitution 

 involving a chromophoric complex." 



It is held that as regards the sensitiveness of indicators "too much emphasis can 

 not be laid on the fact that the lack of sensitiveness of phenolphthalein in laboratory 

 practice in the titration of a weak base like ammonia or of methyl orange in the 

 titration of a weak acid like acetic acid is ultimately due chiefly to the fact that a 

 weak base or a weak acid is very much weaker (less ionized) in the presence of its 

 own salts than in pure aqueous solutions." 



The testing of chemical reagents for purity, C. Krauch, trans, by J. A. 

 Williamson and L. W. Dupre {New York: D. Van Nostrand Co., 1903, 3. ed., pp. 

 350). — This is an authorized translation of the third edition of this work, containing 

 many additions and corrections as well as references to English works, in place of 

 many of the original references to German works. 



Comparison of diflferent types of calorimeter, J. S. S. Brame and W. A. Cowan 

 {Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind., 22 {1903), No. 22, pp. 1230-1233, fig. i ).- Comparative tests 

 of the Lewis Thompson, William Thomson, F. Fischer, and Mahler bomb calo- 

 rimeters with reference to their use in determining the calorific power of fuels (coal) 

 are reported. The Mahler calorimeter gave the most satisfactory results. 



A new form of platinum resistance thermometer, specially adapted for the 

 continuous-flow calorimeter, H. T. Barnes and D. ^IcIntosii {Phil. Mag. and 

 Jour. Sci., 6. ser., 6 {1903), pp. 350-352). 



Fourth session of the International Commission for Uniform Methods of 

 Sugar Analysis, F. G. AVeichmann {Jour. Amcr. Chem. Soc, 25 {1903), No. 11, pp. 

 1208-1215). — A summary of the proceedings of the session held at Berlin, June 4, 

 1903. 



Report of the principal chemist upon the work of the government labora- 

 tory for the year ended March 31, 1903, T. E. Thorpe {London: Govt. Lab., 

 1903, pp. 26). — A brief summary is given of the work of this laboratory in connec- 

 tion with the revenue departments (customs and excise) and with other government 

 departments. 



Report of the chemical department of the Royal Agricultural Academy, 

 1902, II. G. SoDERBAUM {K. Landt. Akad. Handl. och Tidskr., 42 {1903), No. 2,j)p. 

 103-121, figs. 3). — Of the subjects investigated by the department during the year 

 and treated in this report, mention may be made of experiments to determine the 

 content of assimilable plant food in a soil through treatment with very dilute acids; 

 the effect of increasing quantities of nitrate of soda on the quantitative and qualita- 

 tive development of sugar beets on Gottland marsh soils; culture trials with barley on 

 clay soil from Ultuna; determination of the lime content of oats grown on limed and 

 unlimed soil; culture trials with precipitated phosphate of calcium manufactured 

 through electrolysis, for the determination of its value as a fertilizer for peas; culture 

 trials with oats, with a view of determining the effect of increasing lime fertilization 

 with different phosphatic fertilizers; culture trials with oats for the purpose of deter- 

 mining in how far the action of different phosi^hatic fertilizers depends on the char- 

 acter of the nitrogenous fertilizers applied at the same time; and analysis of Rippert's 

 preservative for barnyard manure. The usual accounts of the administration of 

 the department, officers, donations, etc., completes the report. — f. w. woll. 



BOTANY. 



Botanical work in the Philippines, E. D. Merrill {Philippine Bureau Agr. 

 Bui. 4, pp. 53, pi. 1). — An account is given of investigations on the Philippine flora 

 between 1611 and the present day. This report includes notes on the investigations 

 of the Spanish botanists, as well as the lx)tanical work published on the Philippine 

 flora in Europe and America, together with sketches of the herbaria, libraries, and 



