BOTANY. 751 



Annual Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station of Mauritius, 



1902 {Rap. An. Sla. Agron. \_Mauritius'], 1902, jyp. 63). — Tliis report contains sum- 

 marieg of meteorological observations during the year (see p. 756); accounts of labo- 

 ratory work, including analyses of fertilizers, barnyard manure, bagasse, coal and 

 coal ashes, and miscellaneous notes; and a discussion of the relative fertilizing value 

 of sodium nitrate and ammonium sulphate. 



A laboratory manual of physiological chemistry, R. W. Webster and W. 

 Kocii (Vliicago: Tin: IMversitt/ of Chicago Press, 1903, j)p. VII +107, pis. ^i).— The 

 cliapters in this volume include the chemistry of the cell and of tissues, the chemis- 

 try of foods and of digestion, the chemical and sanitary examination of milk, and 

 the chemistry of the excretions. In the arrangement of the subject-matter "an 

 attempt has been made to bring physiological chemistry into closer touch with the 

 biological sciences, without unduly sacrificing connection with the clinical branches; 

 and this manual represents the laboratory course which is given to students [at the 

 University of Chicago] who wish general instruction in the subject, which shall be 

 not too remote from its practical applications." The volume contains an introduc- 

 tion by A. P. Mathews. 



Directions for laboratory work in physiological chemistry, H. C. J.\ckson 

 {New York: John Wiley tO Sons, 1903, ii. ed., ])p. yi+14S). — A revised and enlarged 

 edition of this laboratory manual designed for use in medical schools. 



A back-pressure valve for use with filter pumps, R. N. Kofoid {Jout. Amer. 

 Chem. Soc, 26 {1904), No. 1, p. 110). — "The body of the valve is constructed of 2 

 pieces of glass tubing of fairly heavy gauge. . . . The valve itself is an improve- 

 ment on the old Bunsen valve, with a glass rod of slightly smaller diameter than 

 the rubber tubing, wired on, to prevent collapse. Soft rubber tubing works best. 

 The device has given excellent service, and can be made at little expense of time 

 and material. It was originally devised for use with condensers in a laboratory 

 where the water pressure sometimes gave out and the water ran back. It gives 

 equally good service for both purposes." 



BOTANY. 



Economic botany, H. M. Hall {California Sta. Rpt. 1903-3, pp. 127-140). — As 

 in tlie previous reports the author gives an account of the various lines of investiga- 

 tion carried on by the assistant botanist at the station. These include identifica- 

 tion of plants and reply to inquiries concerning them, the care of an economic 

 herbarium, collection and preparation of seeds, a study of the weeds and poisonous 

 plants of the State, and studies and investigations in economic botany. Notes are 

 given on a numljer of the economic plants that have been under investigation, and 

 lists are given of the identifications made during the period covered by the report. 



Distribution of seeds, plants, and cuttings, E. J. Wickson {California Sta. Rpt. 

 1902-3, pp. 141-153). — A synopsis is given of the distribution of seeds and plants car- 

 ried on by the station for 18 years. Notes are also given on various seeds and plants 

 which have been distributed, their economic uses being indicated. 



The economic garden, A. V. Stubenrauch {California Sta. Rpt. 1902-3, pp. 153- 

 160). — A tabular report is given showing the results of test plat cultures made with 

 various grasses and other forage plants. 



Relation of soil to the distribution of vegetation in the pine region of 

 Michigan, E. B. Livingston {Ahs. in Science, n. ser., 19 {1904), No. 474, pp. 167, 

 168). — A study is reported of 15 townships of Michigan, the soils being classed as 

 claj^ clay loam, sandy, loam, and sand. The region is glacial and consists of ridges 

 and plains, the former being usually gravelly and sandy, while the latter are loamy 

 sand, clay, or nearly pure sand. The vegetation on the different ])ortions is divided 



