926 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



fourth has tho charactoristic- alkali lands vegetation (Astragulus, 

 Ephedra, etc.) The importance of these facts in the ])ractical work 

 of reforestation is pointed out. — p. fireman. 



Laterites, P. A. Zemyachenski {Pochvovedenie S^Pt'dohxj'u^^ 2 {1899), 

 pp. 117-122). — Notwithstanding" the extended distrilnition of the later- 

 ites, information with regard to them is very limited. It is known 

 only that they are very rich in ferric oxid (35 per cent and more). 

 Recently M. Bauer communicated some entirely novel data concerning- 

 the nature of lateritic soils. From his analyses he concludes that in 

 lateritic soils originating from granite and diorite, there occurs much 

 free hydrate of alumina, so that they approach the Imuxites in com- 

 position. The author does not agree with Bauer's conclusion. He 

 analj^zed two samples of lateritic soils, one from Mongon, China, and 

 the other from the Caucasus (Chakva). The samples were treated 

 with hydrochloric acid in three different ways: (1) By heating with Kl 

 per cent hj^drochloric acid 4 hours, (2) with acid of the same strength 

 10 hours, and (3) with strong hydrochloric acid (specific gravity 1.12) 



10 hours on a watei- bath. From these experiments the conclusion 

 was reached that in lateritic soils originating from feldspar there is 

 present no free hydrate of alumina, and that the alumina is combined 

 with silica and perhaps with ferric oxid. — p. fireman. 



On the spectrum of the more volatile g-ases of atmospheric air, -which are 

 not condensed at the temperature of liquid hydrogen, ( I. I). Liveing and J. 

 Dewar (Chem. News, 83 {1901), Nos. 2145, pp. 1, 2; 2146, pp. lS-13). 



Purification of air by soil, A. Gerardin ( Compi. Bend. Acad. Sci Paris, 132 

 {1901), No. 3, pp. 157-159). 



The molecular constitution of water, W. Sutherland (Pliil. Mag. and .Tour. 

 Sci., 5. ser., 50 (1900), p. 460; abf<. In Cliciii. Ztg., 24 {1900), No. 100, Repert., p. 361).— 

 The author concludes from his investigations that steam is HjO, ice (HjOlg, and 

 water a mixture of (H20)3 and (HoO).,. For the simple molecule H.,0 the name 

 "hydrol" is proposed. 



Waters, E. W. Hilgard et al. {Califurnia Sta. Rpt. 1S9S, pp. ii^'-iJO).— This 

 includes reports on analyses of 4 samples of creek and river water, the water of Lake 

 Elsinore in 1890, 1891, 1897, and 1898, 16 samples of spring water, 38 of ordinary 

 well water, 5 of artesian well water, and 8 of water from reservoirs and irrigation 

 ditches with reference to mineral constituents, and of 7 samples of spring water and 

 5 of well water with reference to sanitary condition. The use of saline and alkali 

 waters in irrigation is discussed and the conclusion is drawn that, "broadly speak- 

 ing, any water unfit for domestic use on account of its saline contents should be 

 used for irrigation only after an examination of the nature and amount of the latter. 

 The limit usually given ff)r drinking waters is 40 grains per gallon." 



The disinfection of wells with potassium permanganate, E. Delorme {Bid. 

 Acad. Med., 1900, No. 25, pp. »!4o-6/^^). 



Sterilization of water by ozonized air by the method of Abraham and 

 Marmier, F. Krull {Ztsclir. Angcic ('hem., 1901, Xo. 3, pp. 57-59, Jigx. 2). 



The drainage and reclamation of marsh soils, ( Jilliaux [L'lng. Agr. Gemhlovx, 



11 {1900), No. 5, pp. 194-213). 



