884 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



by whifh it would be possible to distinguisb tbe sex of silkworm ejjgs and larvae. 

 Nunierous deteniiinatious were made on the si)efi(ic gravity of eggs and the varia- 

 tions thus observed were noted, particularly with reference to the sex of the eggs aa 

 deti-nninod by rearing adult moths. Tt was found that the eggs could be divided 

 rougidy into 2 classes, with low and iiigli specific gravity, respectively. No differ- 

 ences were observed in the vigor of the larvic obtained from these different classes 

 of eggs and no constant relation was observed between the specific gravity of the 

 eggs and the sex. In general, however, there seemed to be a slight preijonderance 

 of fi'iuale eggs among those of low specific gravity. Experiments with larvjc showed 

 that while the actual weight of the larvie could not be depended upon as indicating 

 the sex, nevertheless about 12 per cent of the heavier larva- and 29 per cent of the 

 lighter larvjc proved to be females. 



Detailed anatomical notes are given on the postembryonic development of the 

 cephalic and thoracic segments of silkworms, by E. Verson. The comparative vigor 

 of the first and last eggs fertilized by the same male moth was studied })y E. Quajat. 

 The results obtained indicate that the eggs of a large number of females may be fer- 

 tilizt'd by a single mal(>, and that no differences are demonstrable in the fertility (jr 

 vigor of the eggs. Experiments were made by the same author for the purpose of 

 determining the influence of turpentine upon the vitality of silkworm eggs. The 

 action of the fumes of turpentine upon the eggs was found to vary somewhat accord- 

 ing to the temperature of the air. The injury was greatest in eggs of the White 

 Japanese breed of silkworms and less so in the eggs of Korean, Chinese, and native 

 races. Immersion of the eggs in pure turpentine killed a large majority. 



The influence of external conditions of environment upon the physical properties 

 of the cocoons was investigated by E. Verson, the results of observations carried out 

 in various places in Italy being pi-esented in tabular form. A bibliograi>hy of litera- 

 ture relating to sericulture published during the years 1902 and 1903 is appended to 

 the rejjort. 



FOODS NUTRITION. 



Review of the literature of composition, analysis, and adulteration of foods 

 for the year 1902, A. J. J. Vandevelde {Separate from Bui. Serr. Surreill. Fahric 

 et Cum. Demre.i Al'mient., 1903, pp. 95). — This is the third annual volume reporting 

 titles of articles on analytical methods, apparatus, water, milk and cream, fats and 

 oils, cheese, floors and their derivatives, spices and colonial jjroducts, sugar, alco- 

 holic beverages, vegetables and fruits, meats and meat products, preservati\es, and 

 related topics. In many cases the bibliographical data are accompanied l)y brief 

 notes regarding the scope of the articles. 



Report of State analyst, E. N. Eaton {Illinois State Food Com. Rpt. 1902, jyp. 

 120-211, figs. 8) . — Of the 924 samples of food analyzed during the year 1902, 397 were 

 foimd to be adulterated. In addition to other topics, grape juice, soda water, and 

 soda-water sirups are discussed. 



Pure food law and rulings of the food commissioner, E. F. Ladd {North 

 Dakota Sta. Spec. Bui. 1, pp. ll). — The State pure food law is quoted, and the 

 author makes some suggestions for those who would comi)ly with its provisions. 

 The bulletin also includes the rulings of the State pure food commissioner regarding 

 labels, standards, preservatives, etc. 



Breakfast foods, J. B. Weems and C. E. Ellis {Iowa Sta. Bui. 74, pp. 101-114).— 

 A number of samples of breakfast foods, biscuits, hulled beans, split peas, potato 

 chips, and other food materials were analyzed, and their relative nutritive value is 

 discussed. In the case of some of the materials for which the claim is made by the 

 manufacturers that they are in a sense predigested, the amount of soluble carbohy- 

 drates Avas determined and found to vary from 0.24 pier cent to 13.23 per cent, being 



