ZOOLOGY. 753 



each species of grass, one with and one without the fungus symbiont. Of these the 

 race associated with the fungus is slightly the more vigorous. The present state of 

 knowledge seems to indicate that the fungus belongs to the Ustilagintc, which has 

 lost the power of spore formation. 



On a culture of buckwheat in the presence of a mixture of algae and 

 bacteria, Bouilhac and Giustiniani {Compt. Rend. Acad. Set. Paris, 137 (1903), 

 Xo. 26, pp. i^7^-ii'76).— Experiments are reported which show that Nostoc pnncti- 

 forme and Anabama covered with bacteria grow rapidly on a soil entirely free of 

 organic matter and increase its content of nitrogen. The experiments showed further 

 that a plant like buckwheat thrives and develops normally in such a soil as a result 

 of the action of these micro-organisms. 



The chemical stimulation of algae, E. B. Livingston (Ah^. in Science, n. ser., 19 

 {1904), Xo. 474, pp. 173, 174). — A study is reported with the polymorphic alga 

 Stigeoclonium, in which it is shown that with relatively high osmotic pressure the 

 alga produce only spherical cells, while with low osmotic pressure it grows out in 

 long, branching filaments. Zoospores are formed only with a low pressure and, upon 

 germination, they form filaments. If filaments are placed in a medium of high 

 pressure they break up into round cells or form groups of round cells. 



When the solution of low osmotic pressure had added to it a trace of poison such 

 as nitric or sulphuric acid, copper sulphate, silver nitrate, etc., the alga took upon 

 itself the Palmella form as though the pressure were high. If the poison was 

 still more dduted, there was a stimulation of zoospore production, though tjieir germi- 

 nation was checked. Nitrates and sulphates were used, and it appeared that the 

 cations had the effect of producing the Palmella form in a solution whose osmotic 

 pressure is far too low to bring about this result. 



The effect of chemical irritation upon the respiration of fungi, Ada 

 Watterson {Ahs. in Science, n. ser., 19 {1904), Xo. 474, P- 17S). — Experiments were 

 conducted with Sterigmatocystis nigra and Penicillium glaucum, the irritants used being 

 zinc sulphate, iron sulphate, and lithium chlorid. The results obtained show that, 

 although the economic coefficient of the sugar was increased, the carbon dioxid 

 respired remained proportionally the same. 



ZOOLOGY. 



Index generum mammalium: A list of the genera and families of mam- 

 mals, T. S. Palmer {V. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Biological Surrey, XortJi American 

 Fauna Xo. ^3, jjp. 984). — In this number of North American Fauna the author pre- 

 sents an alphabetical index of the genera of mammals, an alphabetical index of fam- 

 ilies and subfamilies, and an index of genera arranged according to orders and 

 families. A detailed index of genera is appended to the bulletin. In an introduc- 

 tion the author outlines the purpose of the publication, which has been in course of 

 preparation for a period of 12 years. An attempt is made to furnish not only the 

 accurate name of each genus, with the name of the originator of the generic name 

 and the date, but also other notes regarding synonymy and similar information of 

 value to the student of systematic zoology. 



Wonder horses and Mendelism, C. B. Davenport {Science, n. ser., 19 {1904), 

 Xo. 473, pp. 151-153). — From a discussion of several recorded cases of the transmis- 

 sion of abnormalities, the author concludes that "wliile Mendelian principles seem 

 applicable to some cases of crosses between sports and the normal species, there 

 seem to be others Avhere neither Mendel's nor Galton's law of inheritance holds." 



The feeding habits of Sorex vulgaris, G. Rorig {Arb. K. Gesundheitmmte, 

 Biol. Alt., 4 {1903), Xo. 1, pp. l.il, 12J). — Observations were made on the feeding 

 habits (jf this species of shrew. The animals were kept in confinement where they 

 could be readily observed, and the data obtained are presented in a tabular form. 



