55() EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



bark, tlic cortic-al ci'lls, which scrvt- for its luitritinn, derive Ihcir suHtcnanco through 

 the pliloeiu of the annular bundles. In ease tlie parasite lives deep within the tissues 

 there is a decided modification of the wood of the stem and the i)arasite is brought 

 in contact with the nonlignified portions of the woody tissue cells and with the thin 

 wall cells of the secondary phloem. If the parasite lives within the pith a number 

 of different modifications are produced, all of which are described. 



In general, in the galls produced on stems, the nutrition of the abnormal tissues 

 adjacent to the parasite is secured through the filjrovascular bundles, or other small 

 bundles which are sj)i'cially jjroduced under the stimulating action of the parasite. 



Cyanogenesis in plants, W. R. Dunstan and T. A. Henry {Froc. Roy. Sac. 

 [Limdon:], 72 {190S), No. 482, pj). 285-294).— In this paper, which is the third of a 

 series on the same topic, the authors give an account of phaseolunatin, a cyanoge- 

 netic glucosid of Phaseolus lunatus. It is stated that the white cultivated beans, com- 

 monly known as Lima beans, have never been known to be poisonous, but the col- 

 ored ones as well as the plant in a semiwild state have frequently exhibited marked 

 poisonous proi^erties. 



Previous investigations have been made to determine the presence of hj-drocyanic 

 acid in this plant, but it was found not to exist as such but to be probably in the 

 form of a glucosid. In the authors' investigations the l)eans were powdered and 

 moistened with cold water and in a few minutes the odor of hydrocyanic acid became 

 perceptible. An attempt was made to estimate the amount of hydrocyanic acid i)ro- 

 duced, as well as to isolate and determine the constitution of the glucosid phaseolu- 

 natin. The glucosid proved to be a cyanogenetic one, differing however from the 

 glucosids amygdalin, lotusin, and dhurrin. This glucosid seems to be present 

 throughout the entire life cycle of Phaseolus lunatus and associated with it was the 

 enzym required for its hydrolysis. 



The constant presence of these substances has led the authors to believe that these 

 glucosids play some definite part in the metabolism of the plants. The reason for 

 the disappearance of cyanogenetic glucosids from the seeds of this bean, as well as 

 from the bitter almond when cultivated, is attributed to the stinmlus to the metab- 

 olism of the plant resulting from improved nutrition and environment. 



Teratological forms of Sterigmatocystis nigra deprived, of potassium, M. 

 MoLLiARoand H. Coupin {Compt.Rend. Acad. Set. Paris, 136 {1903), No. 26, pp. 1695, 

 1696). — The effect of depriving this fungus of potassium was studied by means of 

 W'ater cultures in which this substance was omitted. This produced marked mor- 

 phological changes in the fungus, which were particularly apparent in the conidia. 

 The spores seemed to be formed with great difficulty, while the conidia were very 

 proliferous. The conidia were also smaller and less cuticularized. 



A study of a unicellular green alga occurring in polluted water, with 

 special reference to its nitrogenous metabolism, Harriette Chick [Proc. Roy. 

 Sac. ILondonl, 11 {1903), No. 475, pp. 45S-476,pl. 1). — A study is rejwrted of a small, 

 unicellular, green alga, which was noticed as frequently present in sewage and sew- 

 age materials when these had been kept for some time, particular reference being 

 paid to its nitrogen metabolism. Diluted ammoniacal solutions were found to have 

 become infested with this alga, a fact that seemed of interest in the physiology of the 

 plant. 



Pure cultures were prepared and grown in various media. While chlorophyll- 

 bearing plants in general prefer their nitrogen in the form of nitrates, these are 

 found to readily assimilate nitrogen in the form of ammonia and to present the best 

 growth when grown in cultures containing ammonia or various ammoniacal com- 

 pounds. This feature of the nitrogen assimilation of the plant is believed to be a 

 specialized characteristic developed from the growth of the plant in water, which 

 contained comparatively large amounts of ammonia such as are found in sew-age and 

 sewage-polluted water. 



