METEOROLOGY — CLIMATOLOGY. 855 



analyses. In these waters, as sold on the market, eliemieal analyses diil not reveal 

 such slight arcidental eonlaniination as nii^ht be proihiced by the intnulnction of 

 />. coli, anil this coutaniinatioii mi^ht be of considerable importance. 



In an examination of waters from driven wells comparisons were made of the 

 chemical, bacterial, and B. coli. analyses, and in all of 128 samples the different ex- 

 aminations were in entire agreement. Polluted waters that may become unfit for 

 consumption at any moment are more plainly indicated by a single chemical analy- 

 sis than by single determinations of B. coli. 



In the examination of shellfish from suspected sources the determination of such 

 bacteria as the colon bacillus is of considerable importance as showing the purity or 

 pollution. 



Comparative tests for the relative viability of B. typhosus and B. coli show that 

 there is a great similarity in the 2 germs under a great variety of conditions. Both 

 appear to follow the general laws of the removal of bacteria by sand filters. Both 

 organisms are destroyed rapidly by cold, either in fluid culture or when frozen in 

 ice. In ice both germs will live in slowly reducing numbers for a considerable length 

 of time, and when subjected to heat both appear to follow about the same rule, the 

 typhoid germs being destroyed in about five minutes' exposure at a temperature of 

 45° C. and nearly all of the B. coli in the same exposure at a temperature of 50° C. 

 The thermal death point of both lies between 80 and 85° C, a point somewhat higher 

 than has hitherto been set for these species. Both are rapidly destroyed by sunlight, 

 an exposure of 30 minutes to 1 hour usually being sufficient to sterilize the culture 

 when spread in a thin layer. 



The practical value of tests for Bacillus coli in -water, G. C. Whipple {Tech. 

 Quart., 16 {1903), No. 1, pp. 18-31, figs. 2). — According to the author, the methods 

 necessary for the certain identification of Bacillus coli in water are so complicated 

 that they are not practical as working tests in connection with the supervision of 

 water supplies. The fermentation of dextrose broth is said to furnish the most rapid 

 and practical test for the presence of this organism in water. B. coli, if not itself 

 widely distributed in nature, is said to so resemble certain common bacteria in all 

 the points covered by the usual tests as to throw doubt upon the use of this organism 

 as a conclusive test for fecal contamination. The methods described by the author 

 furnish a useful test to determine the sanitary quality of water, and give results that 

 agree well with chemical and biological analyses. 



"Water molds and. lime purification, H. Schkeib ( Wasserpilze unci Kalkreinigung. 

 Berlin: M. Knnjii, 1904, pp- X+176, pi. 1, maps 2). 



Some problems in fermentation, J. H. Long {Jour. Amer. Chern. Soc, 26 {1904), 

 No. 2, pp. 117-133). — An address upon this subject delivered before the meeting of 

 the American Chemical Society at St. Louis, December 30, 1903. 



METEOROLOGY— CLIMATOLOGY. 



Annual summary of meteorological observations in the United States, 

 1903 {Mo. Weather Rev., 31 {1903), No. 13, pp. VII+625-652, charts 5).— This num- 

 ber gives a table of contents, list of corrections, additions, and changes, and an index 

 for volume 31; and a summary of observations on temperature, pressure, precipita- 

 tion, wind movement, cloudiness, and other meteorological phenomena "based 

 essentially upon data received from about 166 regular Weather Bureau stations, 33 

 regular Canadian stations, and from such climate and crop sections as have for- 

 warded their annual summaries in time." A report of the Chief of the Weather 

 lUireau for the year ended June 30, 1903, is included. 



Monthly Weather Review {Mo. Weather Rer., 31 {1903), Nos. 10, pp. 44^--''>02, 

 figs. 6, charts 11; 11, pp. 503-563, pi. l,figs. 15, charts 12; 12, pp. 565-624, figs. 9, charts 

 12).— In addition to the usual reports on forecasts, warnings, weather and crop con- 

 ditions, meteorological tables and charts for the months of October, November, and 



