792 KXPEKIMKNT STATrON KKCOKD. 



The biology of bees, N. Kri-Adix {All;/. Zlsrhr. JCnI., S (rJ03),No. 20-21, pp. 

 S9'>-.i97). — During' tlir experiments repurttMl in this i)aper the author placed colonies 

 of bees in hives which contained bee cells, witli drone cells in 1 frame only. Obser- 

 vation of the (pieen l)ee disclosed the fact that she laid eggs in the drone cells at 3 

 different times. Brief notes are al.-o given on the cause of swarming and on the 

 proihiction of honeycoml). The author found that the bees ])roduced comb from the 

 wax with w hich they were furnished, and that the form of the cell was not deter- 

 mined voluntarily l)y the l)ees, Imt was due to the method of construction of the 

 cond). 



Th.e relation of bees to fruit growing, W. Newell {i'roc. Cleonjia Sktte Jlorl. 

 Sue, 27 {190S), }tp. 5S-63). — The author maintains that the pollination of the Florida 

 fruit trees is practically impossilile without insects, and that the lujneybee accom- 

 plishes this more successfully than any other insect. With regard to the rehitionsliip 

 of bees to pear blight and brown rot it is a(hiiitted that these diseases are carried by 

 bees to some extent, l)ut it is argued tliat tiieir prevalence would be almost if not 

 quite as great without the agency of bees. 



A study of parthenogenesis of drones by the statistical method, V. Bacii- 

 jiET.iEW {AlUj. Zfschr. Ent., 8 {1903), No. 2-S, pp. 37-44, fig. 2).— The author col- 

 lected statistics relating to the anatomical features of drones, especially the length 

 of the wings. These statistics are tabulated. From a study of the statistics it 

 appeared that the right wing of drones and the left wing of workers are jiroductts of 

 parthenogenesis, while the left wing of drones and the right wing of workers are the 

 result of fertilization of the eggs of the queen. It is concluded, therefore, tiiat the 

 worker bees and drones are lialf-normal individuals wdiich develop from half-fertil- 

 ized eggs. 



The stingless bees of North and South America considered in the light of 

 domestication, R. H. Harris {Ent. Rer. and Jour. Variation, 15 {1903), No. 4, pp. 

 90, 100). — A Ijrief reference is made to the characters and relative value of Aphis 

 dorsafa and A. meUifica. The author states that species of the genera Melipona and 

 Trigona are decidedly inferior to the common honeybee. These latter bees build 

 nests in various locations, including the nests of termites. No wax is used in the con- 

 struction of the nests. The honey of these ])ees is also greatly inferior to that of the 

 common honeybee. It is argued, therefore, that little return can be expected from 

 the domestication of these species. 



How to prevent foundation falling out of frames, H. R. Stephens {Qiieens- 

 land Agr. Jour., 13 {1903), No. 6, p. 568, fig. 1). — A method is described and illus- 

 trated by which the foundation may he prevented from falling down under the 

 weight of a cluster of bees. The method consists in the use of double lines of wire, 

 one on either side of the frame. 



Experiments in sericulture in Tunis, F. Verry {Bui. Agr. Algfric ct Tmiifie, 

 9 {1903), No. 22, pip. 500-507). — The eggs used by silkworm raisers in Tunis have 

 been largely furnished liy the French government and belong to a numljer of varie- 

 ties ol)tained from tlie Alps and China. Notes are given on the reeling projierties, 

 purity, and tenacity of the silk detained. 



Report of the inspector for the silk commission, Guyot {Ann. Soc. Agr. Sci. ct 

 Ind. Lgon, 7. ser.,l() {1902), pp. 73-75). — A l)rief description is given of the agricultural 

 operations in the vicinity of Lyons, and attention is called to the possibility of extend- 

 ing the silk industry with profit. 



FOODS— NUTRITION. 



The increase of soluble matter in bread by toasting, ]*]. W. Hilgarb ( Cali- 

 fornia >Sta. Rpl. 1902-3, pp. 100, 101). — The changes hroughtabout in ])read l)y toasting 

 were studied with samples toasted very thoroughly; prepared by the ordinary house- 



